September 30 2021, VCU News
“A sense of community Liu found at VCU was crucial to his Branch Museum of Architecture installation, which is meant to perplex, repel, embrace and unite.”
July 26, 2021- Branch Museum of Art + Design
“Helper” is an installation constructed of locally sourced and reused wood located in front of the Branch Museum of Architecture and Design on Monument Avenue. In this webinar, An Liu will discuss the research, design, and construction of a purposely prickly installation to explore the relationship between individuals and their environment. An’s design philosophy is a nod to renowned architect Louis Kahn, who famously imagined a conversation with one material, asking, “What do you want, brick?” Instead, An asked, “What do you want, stick?” The use of sticks recreates an essential experience that draws occupants’ attention upward to both nature and time. Further, the design’s intention forces occupants to address wasted materials by highlighting human’s impact on the natural world. Occupants cannot disregard the sharp ends of the abandoned materials used and, thus, must acknowledge the lifecycle of wood. The sticks point to countless places that resonate with visitors. This webinar dives into equity, sustainability, site studies, scale, and climate change through an inventive iterative process.
July 21, 2021- Virginia Public Media
“An “Sledge” Liu is an architectural designer who uses materials that otherwise would be in a landfill to create stunning and impactful works of art. Liu recently created a statue called the Helper in BMAD’s Design Build Contest. Liu and his sculpture won first prize in the contest. His mission to use sustainable materials is inspired by his admiration for nature and the resources it provides us with. Liu’s goal in creating the sculpture was to get people to appreciate nature for what it is. “
August 2, 2021- Richmond Bizsense
“The latest addition to a row of apartment buildings lining Canal Street in Monroe Ward is taking shape alongside the Downtown Expressway.
Construction has passed the midway point on One Canal, a seven-story, 138-unit building that’s rising at the northeast corner of Canal and South First streets.”
Richmond Times Dispatch- July 15, 2021
“Capital City Partners, a new venture that includes associates of the rejected Navy Hill redevelopment project in downtown Richmond, has finalized its purchase of the city’s Public Safety Building at 500 N. 10th Street.
The conclusion comes four months after the Richmond City Council unanimously agreed to sell the nearly 70-year-old building for $3.5 million.”
SMBW is proud to be a part of this design team!
June 10, 2021- SMBW
This final Shine The Light assembles the 4 creators LIVE for a virtual roundtable, reflecting on the series and ongoing opportunities for black creators in the design community. SMBW also announces the recipients of the Shine The Light student scholarship.
Richmond Bizsense- March 2, 2021
“Nearly a year to the day that a majority of its members voted down the controversial Navy Hill plan, a unanimous Richmond City Council on Monday approved a portion of the project that was decidedly uncontroversial by comparison.
In a specially called meeting, councilmembers adopted three ordinances authorizing the sale of the city’s Public Safety Building property and adopting a development agreement with Capital City Partners, which is planning a 20-story, VCU Health-anchored tower and mixed-use office complex on the bulk of the 3-acre property at 500 N. 10th St.”
SMBW is proud to be a part of this design team!
CapCenter’s business model is catching on beyond the Richmond area.
One of the first if not only company to bundle residential mortgages, realty and closing services under one roof, the Henrico County-based company has opened five offices in the past year or so — one each in McLean; in Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C.; and in Greenville and Charleston, S.C.
Its headquarters will be moved this year from leased space in the Innsbrook Corporate Center into a nearby building that the company bought in 2020 for $5.85 million.
Check out the renderings of the SMBW project cited:
Richmond Bizsense- February 9, 2021
“Months of negotiations have reached a proposed deal for a multimillion-dollar redevelopment of Richmond’s city-owned Public Safety Building property.
Ordinances and legal documents reflecting the negotiated deal between the city administration and developer Capital City Partners were formally introduced to the City Council at its meeting Monday evening. The deal will be reviewed in committee and brought back to the council for consideration at a future meeting”
SMBW is proud to be a part of this design team!
January 21, 2021
Part 2 of this 3-part Market Report webinar series dives into RVA’s mixed-use market.The Market Report webinar series investigates SMBW’s main work segments, offering real-time peer-to-peer insight on business and the future of space.
MEET OUR PANEL
Jeff Bunch, UrbanCore
Michael Henley, Hourigan
Jon Beckner, High Gate Realty Advisors
Lisa Clark, SMBW
MODERATED BY
Spencer Grice, SMBW
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
Multi-Family Development Overview
RVA Changes Driving Development
COVID-19 Market Impacts
Design Trends
What’s Next?
Richmond Bizsense- December 29, 2020
“Pandemic be damned, the COVID-fueled economic downturn didn’t seem to slow down development interest in the Richmond region in 2020.”
Check out the SMBW projects cited:
Richmond Bizsense- December 28, 2020
“Scott’s Addition may have grabbed more attention in recent years when it came to real estate development, but Manchester stole the show in 2020.
The Southside neighborhood saw more development action and investment this year than just about any other area of the region.”
Check out these SMBW projects cited:
1114 Hull Street
December 7, 2020
Are you a student currently enrolled in an architecture or interior design program? SMBW is hiring for Spring semester interns! Check out Careers page for more info. Hope to hear from you soon!
November 3, 2020
SMBW launches new webinar series, the Market Report, exploring the state of core market segments. TUNE IN to Episode One Tuesday, Nov 11 at 11:00. This discussion-based deep dive allows you to hear directly from our clients, large and small, on business, team + culture, and spatial strategies they are employing to plan for the year(s) ahead.
Watch the recording here:
October 19, 2020 – Richmond Bizsense
“Five months after it was pitched to the city, a $350 million development proposal that would salvage part of the failed Navy Hill plan remains in play.”
Have you been tuning in to SMBW’s Workplace Re-Entry Roundtable webinar series? Whether you’re returning or new, you won’t want to miss the final installment Thursday, 10/22.
We’ve assembled RVA’s design, workplace, and construction thought leaders to speak on workplace re-entry strategies. For the final installment of our 3-part webinar series, we’re looking ahead at what the future of the workplace and how we’re navigating these changes in real-time. Click the link in our bio to register today!
Meet the Panel:
Ginny Johnston, Capital One
Lee Harrelson, CMTA
Chris Durand, DPR Construction
Stephen Jayjock, JLL
Kim Smith, Knoll
Tamara Van Meter, SMBW
SMBW – October 9, 2020
On Friday, October 9, IIDA + ASID held their annual Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEAs) to honor exceptional regional interior design work. SMBW designers Michelle Mikita and Shannon Dankos took home two awards! “Just the right amount of color and crispness, that gives a space balance,” said the jury.
First Place, S&P Global
Category: Corporate over 3,500 sf
Honorable Mention, Pietech 3rd floor expansion
Category: Corporate under 3,500 sf
VIRGINIA HUMANITIES – July 28, 2020
“The new office will dramatically improve our visibility and accessibility, and make it easier to work with our local and statewide partners including the University of Virginia, all of which will substantially deepen our impact to support and amplify the stories of Virginians from across the state,” says Matthew Gibson, Virginia Humanities’ Executive Director.
We’re excited to help Virginia Humanities realize a new space!
Struggling with getting back to work Post-COVID? Join RVA’s design, workplace, and construction thought leaders for Part 2 of our 3-part webinar series for an update. Panelists will revisit strategies and new updates on workplace re-entry.
Panelists
Capital One | Ginny Johnston, Employer Readiness
CMTA | Drew Roberts, Indoor Air Quality
DPR | Chris Durand, Construction
Knoll | Kim Smith, Furniture Solutions
SMBW | Tamara Van Meter, Workplace Strategy
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July 6, 2020 – Richmond Times Dispatch
“For a century, Monument Avenue has showcased some of the Confederacy’s most revered figures. Soon, there will be a blank canvas. Over the past week, the Richmond Times-Dispatch asked demonstrators, residents, artists and community leaders what they’d like to see on the new Monument Avenue.”
Pictured here is SMBW’s 2019 submission, entitled ‘Deconstruction/Reconstruction’ for the design competition ‘General Demotion/General Devotion’, which posed a re-imagining of Richmond’s Monument Avenue. SMBW’s submission proposed an architectural shroud surrounding prominent monuments and transforming the central circles for spaces for community and contemplation.
The exhibit was planned by Storefront for Community design and held at The Valentine Museum.
Richmond Bizsense- June 8, 2020
“The former Lighthouse Diner in Manchester is not long for this world as a new mixed-use development is being eyed to replace it.
Plans have been filed to demolish the 100-year-old, long-dormant building at 1228 Hull St., which until recently had been part of the holdings of embattled local businessman Michael Hild.”
RVA’s design, workplace, and construction thought leaders answer your questions live, following the Workplace Re-Entry Roundtable.
Topics + Panelists
Construction | Chris Durand, DPR
Employer Readiness | Ginny Johnston, Capital One
Solutions | Kim Smith, Knoll
Indoor Air Quality | Lee Harrelson, CMTA
Project Management | Stephen Jayjock, JLL
Workplace Strategy | Tamara Van Meter, SMBW
Moderated by Spencer Grice of SMBW.
May 28, 2020- SMBW
Are you prepared for the post-covid workplace? Join RVA’s design, workplace, and construction thought leaders for return-to-work strategies.
Topics + Panelists
Employer Readiness | Ginny Johnston, Capital One
Indoor Air Quality | Lee Harrelson, CMTA
Construction | Chris Durand, DPR
Furniture Solutions | Kim Smith, Knoll
Project Management | Stephen Jayjock, JLL
Workplace Strategy | Tamara Van Meter, SMBW
Moderated by Spencer Grice of SMBW.
Hosted live via Zoom webinar Thursday, May 28th at 8:30 am.
Click Read More to link to the webinar recording.
May 21, 2020- SMBW
SMBW and our friends at the Virginia Bar Association walk you through a phased approach to reopening your firm for business, as social distancing restrictions begin to lift in the coming months.
Click Read More to link to the webinar recording.
May 6, 2020- BIZSENSE
“Three months after Richmond City Council said “no” to the controversial Navy Hill project, the developers behind it are looking to revive a portion of the proposal with a mixed-use development that now calls for a taller VCU Health-anchored tower.”
RICHMOND BIZSENSE- April 13, 2020
“Another new development with some height is planned along the Pulse Corridor on Broad Street, this time by one of the developers behind the Quirk Hotel.
Bank Street Advisors filed plans this month for Soda Flats, a seven-story building consisting of 73 apartment units and ground-floor retail at 2820 W. Broad St.”
RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH- March 06, 2020
Plans are being finalized for a $52 million building project in the Virginia Bio+Tech Park in Richmond that would serve as a temporary
SMBW Architects is the architect for the project. W.M. Jordan Co. is the construction manager, and Project Solutions Group is the project manager.
SMBW- March 3, 2020
Clark’s architectural design experience spans market segments including mixed-use, higher education, and cultural facilities with tangible community impact. Clark has steered diverse commercial projects from conceptual design through construction administration as project designer and worked to collect a broad wealth of knowledge across trades to make her an adept designer and project coordinator. Her experience in in mixed-use arena brings great value to SMBW, as an emerging design leader in the mixed-use market.
SMBW- March 03, 2020
Soudi is a 2019 graduate of Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture and Design. Soudi, from Amman, Jordan, came to the United States for his undergraduate degree and brings a background in construction and previous work experience as an intern for two Jordanian architecture studios.
BIZSENSE- February 27,2020
Nearly two and a half years after construction began, the Virginia War Memorial has largely polished off a multimillion-dollar expansion, marking the occasion with a dedication ceremony Saturday.
SMBW – February 19, 2020
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.
Click here to read the full press release
RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH – February 12, 2020
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is consolidating its operations on Ownby Lane in Richmond into one building, which the company is planning to renovate to give a refreshed look to its taproom and patio where visitors gather for beers.
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.
VCU Health said the plan — including offices for medical school faculty, retail shopping and dining, 1,500 parking spaces, and housing for the families of sick patients in need — is dependent on the $1.5 billion Navy Hill downtown redevelopment project”
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- January 24, 2019
“Another surface parking lot in the Monroe Ward section of downtown has caught the eye of developers.
A group of buyers is seeking to rezone a cluster of 13 contiguous lots at the corner of South 1st and East Canal streets to the city’s TOD-1, or transit-oriented nodal district designation, which allows for taller, midrise development of up to 12 stories.”
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.
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.”
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!”
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.
There were 35 projects nominated for the awards, which recognizes the best in historic preservation, blight reduction and neighborhood revitalization.”
Click here to read the full story
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
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.”
