SMBW – February 19, 2020

SMBW, an interdisciplinary design studio for architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, and urban planning founded and operating in Richmond, is proud to announce that Erin Rowe has been promoted to Market Manager in the firm.

Rowe, of Richmond, VA, first earned a B.S. in Communication from Radford University in 2009 and started her career in Marketing.  Years later, she earned a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Environments at Virginia Commonwealth University and has been a practicing Interior Designer at SMBW for five years. The Market Manager role has been crafted to blend her Marketing and Design experience to position the firm for new projects, through business development and marketing efforts.

Rowe’s professional experience spans regional corporate and higher education projects, but her real passion is people. As an interior designer, she worked to truly get to know a client and understand their needs, offering research and relationship-based solutions resulting in thoughtful designs.  As Market Manager, Erin’s ability to connect with SMBW’s clients and the Richmond community will restructure the firm’s approach to winning new work and making community connections.  Erin is an active community member serving as the President of the Junior Board of Historic Richmond, the Vice President of Sponsorship for IIDA (International Interior Design Association), and a lifelong Big Sister volunteer to Richmond teens.

Tamara Van Meter, Firm Principal and Head of Interiors: “Erin possesses a unique and powerful understanding of both the creative and business drivers that make a project successful.   She thinks like a client and encourages our team to push beyond the physical design solution and explore ways our buildings can serve the community, convey brand, and ultimately bring value to our client’s business.  Her energetic and outgoing personality make her a natural leader in our firm and community.    We are incredibly excited to have created a custom role that showcases Erin’s strengths and look forward to the impact she will make on SMBW!”

Click here to read the full press release

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH – February 12, 2020

BIZSENSE- February 12, 2020

Excited to be partnering with our friend at Hardywood on a new vision for the brewery’s Richmond HQ location.

RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH – February 4, 2020

“VCU Health released details on an expansion that would be part of the larger Navy Hill project on Tuesday, a day after the Richmond City Council took two steps signaling majority opposition to the project.

BIZSENSE- January 29, 2020

Check out our new mixed use project dubbed, One Canal, on Richmond Bizsense.

BIZSENSE- January 14, 2020

“Representatives with developer NH District Corp. joined Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney in announcing Monday that real estate research firm CoStar Group has struck a tentative agreement to occupy a 400,000-square-foot office building within the development, should the City Council approve the $1.5 billion project” 

BIZSENSE – November 27, 2019

Clients with a cause give our design work meaning and purpose. We’re thrilled to be taking this project to the next level with the YWCA.

WHSV 3- October 11, 2019

The SMBW Dukes were extra happy to work on the interiors for this new residence hall at JMU. Congrats, JMU!

BIZSENSE- September 17, 2019

Activation Capital has big plans for Jackson Ward and SMBW is happy to be a part of this team!

BIZSENSE- August 07, 2019

The proposed Navy Hill development is the type of visionary project that recognizes the strength of the city of Richmond as a place of innovation. This project will reclaim a lost historic neighborhood that was once a thriving urban center in the city. It will show that Richmond is a city that values sustainable development built for all its citizens and visitors and that Richmond continues to be a place to call home.

RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH- June 26, 2019

Questions about the Navy Hill development? Visit: https://navyhillrva.com/get-the-facts

BIZSENSE- May 17, 2019

Our work at the 1717 Innovation Center brought us home an AIA Design Award last night! Extra special, as the awards ceremony was held in one of our current projects, the Virginia War Memorial.

Related Project: 1717 Innovation Center

Office Snapshots – March 12, 2019

“A once underutilized building is now the Capital One funded home of Startup Virginia, a nonprofit incubator whose new space connects its participating entrepreneurs to mentors and programs in the community. Based out of a 100 year-old, 5-story heavy-timber former tobacco warehouse in the growing Shockoe Bottom region, the 1717 Innovation Center is a community-driven business incubator, housing the non-profit Startup Virginia. Capital One, who funded the project through their Future Edge program, also occupy space on two floors for gathering space and a research lab.”

Click here to see the full feature

SMBW – January 28, 2019

SMBW is proud to announce that Melinda Jeffries, NCIDQ, has been promoted to an Associate in the firm. Jeffries, of Richmond, VA, first earned a B.S. in Biology, followed by a Master’s in Teaching from James Madison University in ’07 and ’08 respectively.  After having completed a Master’s in Fine Arts for Interior Environments at Virginia Commonwealth University, she began her career at SMBW and has been with the firm for over six years.  She continues to utilize her teaching skills through adjunct positions within the Interior Design Department at VCU.

Tamara Van Meter, Firm Principal and Head of Interiors: “Melinda’s background in teaching and science coupled with her artistic talent create the perform storm as a design leader.  She is a deeply analytical and strategic thinker which enable creative problem solving and design solutions.   Her engaging personality and communication style make her a natural mentor to our firm’s young designers as well as the regional design student community.  We are thrilled to welcome Melinda as an Associate of SMBW!”

Click here to read the press release

Richmond Times Dispatch – November 8, 2018

“Ten development projects in the Richmond area were deemed to be the best in their categories at the 2018 Golden Hammer Awards ceremony.

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: 1717 Innovation Center

RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH- November 5, 2018

Small and large projects alike keep our design team nimble. Congrats to RTS Labs on their new office space!

Related Project: RTS Labs

Knoll.com – October 30, 2018

“The 1717 Innovation Center provides opportunities for casual collaboration, fosters creativity, and supports employee engagement. [It] implements these forward-thinking concepts, paying particular attention to wellbeing, flexibility, hospitality, and a balance between individuals and teams.”

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: 1717 Innovation Center

Charlottesville Tomorrow – October 18, 2018

“‘The unique thing that we are trying to create here at University of Virginia is to look at food systems, not just growing food, but actually working on access,’ [Dorothy] McAuliffe said. ‘We have plenty of food, but there is a gap in the food system that denies access to the kids that need it most.’

Housed in a former barn, the Food Lab is a meeting space and kitchen that will support food justice initiatives at UVa and in the Charlottesville area.”

Click here to read the full story

RTS Labs Blog – September 6, 2018

“Our office suite is not only fun and creative, it has lots of open space to accommodate multiple meeting styles with private zones for heads down work and meeting rooms for strategy sessions and client meetings. It’s simple and inspires collaboration. The space SMBW designed truly represents the culture we’ve built at RTS Labs.”

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: RTS Labs

The Brick Industry Association – July 24, 2018

The Brick Industry Association recognized SMBW + team for our work at University of Richmond on the Queally Admissions Center with a Gold Award in the Higher Education category.

See the full list of winners here

Office Snapshots – July 16, 2018

“Envera Health, a partner in healthcare engagement services, sought a Richmond-based location to consolidate multiple office locations creating a unified culture that aligns their work environment and community-centered mission. Designed by SMBW, the 25,000 SF facility can accommodate 100% employee growth utilizing flexible workstations and technology to accommodate frequent team reconfigurations. Taking advantage of the 19’ tall ceilings, mezzanines allow team collaborative lounges a bird’s eye view of the office below.”

Click here to see the full feature

Richmond Bizsense – April 19, 2018

“The GRACRE ceremony, held at the Country Club of Virginia, recognized 23 projects and transactions. It was hosted by Cheryl Shanahan, EDC business development manager.”

Click here to read the full story

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Richmond Times-Dispatch – April 1, 2018

“Moving into the 1717 Innovation Center was a ‘no-brainer’ [April Palmer, co-founder of Pivot Pass] said. ‘We came to Richmond because we felt the startup scene was right for us here,’ she said. ‘It is a market on an upward trend, and where we wanted to be,’ [Brig Leland, co-founder] added. ‘We could be in New York or Boston, but we chose Richmond because we see the potential in the area.'”

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: 1717 Innovation Center

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Richmond BizSense – March 27, 2018

“Gilbane Building Co. and SMBW Architects were the builder and architect on the project, respectively. The former tobacco warehouse could house up to 50 startups. Startup Virginia’s members can use the building and get access to mentorship, investors and events. Current members include DineGigs, ReRunner and Seasonal Roots. About 40 startups are signed on to be in the building, and they take month-to-month leases for different spaces, similar to how coworking spaces operate.”

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: 1717 Innovation Center

Dogtown Dish – March 25, 2018

“Our next task was to decide where to set up the brewing/bottling operation and tasting room for Climax Beverage Co. We intend to locate Climax in Swansboro, just west of Manchester, as part of a destination based development that will focus on food & beverages. This large Swansboro development will include the old Siegel’s grocery store we have already begun restoring. (…) To flesh all this out, we have engaged SMBW architects to assist with the master planning. Climax Beverage Co. will be folded in as one component of a broad vision for this multi-faceted re-development effort. The hope is that the revitalized area will include a whole swath of purveyors including food vendors, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and fresh produce/market items to help serve the needs of the surrounding neighborhood. ”

Click here to read the full story

Richmond Times-Dispatch – March 5, 2018

“[Alex Papajohn, Executive Director of the Virginia Wine Expo], said the Victorian-era train station (…) is a ‘world-class venue’ that represents ‘a major reset’ for the event.'”

Click here to read the full story

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Richmond Magazine – January 1, 2018

“PIEtech, a fast-growing Powhatan-based company that creates financial-planning software, tapped SMBW to design its second location in Midlothian. The 17,000-square-foot space aesthetically speaks to PIEtech’s quirky and colorful identity, while also encouraging the company’s day-to-day operations to run as a well-oiled machine.”

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: PIEtech

Richmond Times-Dispatch – February 14, 2018

“‘It is cool, beautiful, spectacular, and it’s a destination-worthy venue,’ [Alex Papajohn, creator and director for the Virginia Wine Expo] said. ‘We need to show we have a wow factor.'”

Click here to read the full story

NPR, WVTF Radio IQ – February 11, 2018

“We’re cognizant of the fact that we don’t know all the answers,” says [Michael Bolling, Executive Director of CodeRVA Regional High School].”We’re a lab and innovation school that’s taking chances to hope to influence, or change, education in the state and also the nation.”

Click here to read or listen to the full story

Fortune.com – December 22, 2017

“Banking and cutting-edge design don’t automatically go together. But Capital One has adopted design thinking as a mantra to reinvent itself as a software company and innovation incubator, rather than a traditional bank. After acquiring design firms Adaptive Path and Monsoon, Capital One has recently rolled out fresh digital features, from an emoji-enabled SMS chatbot to GPS-tracked transaction histories. In early 2018 it will unveil its 1717 Innovation Center in Richmond, a 42,000-square-foot facility housing an experience design research lab and, through a partnership with an incubator program, some 50 startups.”

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: 1717 Innovation Center

SMBW – January 11, 2018

SMBW is proud to announce that Sierra Roman, CID, has been promoted to an Associate in the firm. Roman, a 2006 James Madison University graduate from Chester, VA, has been with the firm for eight years and became a certified interior designer in 2010. Using a client-centric approach with an unrelenting passion for design, Roman has worked on an array of project types including commercial offices, higher education, community non-profits, outpatient healthcare facilities, and retail.

Tamara Van Meter, Firm Principal and Head of Interiors: “Sierra’s passion for design and sensitivity to the client’s vision are tremendous assets to our firm.   As a mentor, she works with young designers on maintaining design integrity with fresh creative ideas.  We are thrilled to welcome Sierra as an Associate and emerging leader at SMBW!”

Click here to read the press release

Richmond BizSense – December 29, 2017

“‘One thing it is easy to forget is that Capital One was a startup,’ said Jay Sanne, vice president of technology at Capital One and a Startup Virginia board member. ‘We look back on those times and we have a deep sense of responsibility to the Richmond area, and really to entrepreneurs and disruptors,’ he said. ‘They are trying to do the same thing that we did over the course of the last 25 years. We truly hope that this incubator creates companies that have the kind of impact that Capital One has had on this region.’

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: 1717 Innovation Center

Richmond BizSense – December 15, 2017

“Construction is wrapping up on Capital One’s 1717 Innovation Center, which is targeting an early 2018 opening. The 42,000-square-foot building will be the home of local nonprofit Startup Virginia and a starting point for the roughly 50 startups to which it provides mentorship.”

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: 1717 Innovation Center

Richmond Times-Dispatch – October 8, 2017

“Earlier this year, Fahrenheit made the move from its former office in Henrico into a new 6,500-square-foot space in Richmond’s Scott’s Addition area. (…) ‘We wanted something different, not a traditional corporate space,’ [Keith] Middleton said. ‘It is about our brand and culture.’

‘This space is definitely an extension of our team and our culture,’ [Rich] Reinecke said. ‘On any given day, we will have clients and nonclients using our space for various things. It is great for us, and the more people who come through here and interact with our team, the better.'”

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: The Fahrenheit Group

Busyboo – August 30, 2017

“Welcome to Richmond, Virginia, a city rich in American history and variable urban style, which is exactly what this modern row house offers – heaps of character and forward-thinking style.

Located in a Historic District known for limited space in which to build, this Jackson Ward neighborhood find was a true gem for the Georgian client looking to create something individual to their desires.

Such desires were fulfilled by SMBW while still blending in amidst the crowd of front porch wielding, cast iron donning, bay window owning exteriors, while a walk inside extends an immediate wow factor.”

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: Richmond Row House

Richmond Times-Dispatch – September 3, 2017

“‘I think getting students at that young age, [CodeRVA is] going to get them that experience before the negative stereotypes that come with computing,’ [Madalene] Spezialetti said. ‘There’s a lot more to do in computer science than just sitting in a cubicle staring at a computer for 10 hours a day.'”

There aren’t any cubicles in CodeRVA (…) It’s an open floor plan where students — with school-provided Google Chromebooks — will collaborate.”

Click here to read the full story

Virginia Bar Association Journal – Spring 2017

“The legal environment has changed dramatically in a generation, and the VBA is responding. This year, the association embraces its tradition as well as its future by moving to a new space complete with a member center and new technology for members to work, learn, and network. This lawyers’ home away from the office will be the ultimate association member benefit — and one not offered to this degree by any other statewide bar group in Virginia.”

Click here to download the full issue

Related Project: Virginia Bar Association

Richmond BizSense – June 5, 2017

“Richmond-based SMBW Architects was retained as the project’s architect, McDonald said. He added the firm is looking to retain Purcell Construction as the general contractor. 512 Hull Street would bring Richmond one of its first tastes of micro-apartments, which McDonald said will include studio units ranging from 400 to 500 square feet. One-bedroom units would range from 500 to 600 square feet.”

Click here to read the full story

Richmond Times Dispatch – May 4, 2017

“PIEtech provides a fun and casual environment which encourages hard work and camaraderie. You can regularly see employees zipping around the office on scooters, challenging each over a foosball match or fighting it out for the ping-pong title. Colorful and interesting art adds an element of fun to an already pleasing environment”

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: PIEtech

Richmond Times Dispatch – April 25, 2017

“'[T]he city and property owners have leased 300,000 square feet of office space in the last six months,’ said Lucy Meade, director of marketing and development for Venture Richmond.

The downtown advocacy group partnered with the city of Richmond and the Greater Richmond Association for Commercial Real Estate to present the annual Downtown Development Forum on Tuesday night. (…) Hundreds of people attended the event at the Main Street Station Shed, one of the projects hailed at the forum. ‘No city has a structure like this in the commonwealth,’ Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said.”

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: Main Street Station

Richmond Times Dispatch – March 21, 2017

“It is a beautiful space,” [Envera Chief Executive Officer Dan Neuwirth] said. “Having a beautiful, natural space with a natural setting to it is conducive to the type of service we want to provide to the patients we touch.”

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: Envera Health

Richmond Times Dispatch – March 20, 2017

“‘Since we bought the building … we have been out talking to local businesses and community leaders,’ [Brad] Cummings said. ‘There is a ton of interest in what we are trying to do for the community by creating this high-growth business incubator.'”

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: 1717 Innovation Center

Richmond Biz Sense – January 12, 2017

“[Trible] said the Broad Street store has been a success, and its retail sales are up about 50 percent from its old location in Shockoe Slip.”

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: Ledbury

Earlier this week, Senator Tim Kaine took a tour of the progress at Main Street Station, Richmond, VA and discussed his support for high speed rail lines in Richmond with NBC12.

Click here and watch the video to catch some glimpses of the inside of the train shed, as well as our very own Katie Cortez chatting about the project!

Richmond Times Dispatch – December 7, 2016

We’re so excited to be working with The Virginia Bar Association on their new offices just around the corner from ours.

Stay tuned for updates, renderings, and more information about this project in the new year!

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: Virginia Bar Association

PR Web – November 17, 2017

“‘The key to successful business incubators around the country is three-fold,’ [Will Loving, of 1717 Partners] said. ‘First, the physical space is exclusive to like early stage companies. Second, other occupants of the space include mentors – entrepreneurs and business leaders who have ‘been there/done that’ and are at the ready to counsel these early-stage firms. Third, having access – not guarantees, but access – to capital, ideally from venture capitalists and angel investors who are also in the same physical space. Having all parties together allows for mutually beneficial ‘collisions’ to occur.'”

SMBW is so thrilled to be a part of this exciting project! Stay tuned for more updates on this venture in 2017!

Click here to read the full story

Related Project: 1717 Innovation Center

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH- March 14, 2011

VMFA PRESS ROOM – April 5, 2010

In order to realize his vision for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, London-based architect Rick Mather formed a partnership for the VMFA expansion program with one of the leading architectural firms in Virginia, SMBW Architects.

SMBW Architects is Richmond’s leading interdisciplinary design studio for thoughtful, cutting-edge, contemporary architecture, landscape architecture and interior design in the region. Integrating rigorous technical expertise with stewardship of the urban and natural landscape, SMBW partners with clients to produce timeless, identity-rich and mission-driven environments. SMBW Architects thrives on unique and challenging projects that cultivate equally distinctive design responses. Their body of work represents a variety of typologies, scales and contexts that demand the research and sensitivity with which SMBW excels. SMBW is passionately dedicated to the consequence of what it builds and to making a lasting and positive contribution to the community.

In addition to VMFA, the flagship art museum of Virginia, SMBW’s other clients include many of the commonwealth’s institutions, agencies, municipalities and leading corporations. Among the firm’s recently completed projects are two additions to the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia (with WG Clark and Bill Sherman) and Luck Stone’s new corporate headquarters in Goochland. Luck Stone won the 2009 GRACRE Award for Best Commercial Building and a Merit Award in the 2010 AIA Richmond Design Awards. The UVA School of Architecture recently won the 2009 Virginia Society AIA Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture and an Honor Award in the 2010 AIA Richmond Design Awards. www.smbw.com

SMBW Architects thrives on unique and challenging projects that cultivate equally distinctive design responses. Its body of work represents a variety of typologies, scales and contexts that demand the research and sensitivity with which SMBW excels. SMBW is passionately dedicated to the consequence of what it builds and to making a lasting and positive contribution to the community.