Category: Active Design

5 Principles for Promoting Acoustic Comfort in the Workplace

June 16, 2015

As the workplace evolves,Â some organizations areÂ trying to drive efficiencyÂ by pushingÂ more workers into smaller open plan spaces, often compromisingÂ employee acoustic comfort. TheÂ problems of noise and speech distractionsÂ areÂ real: Surveys conducted by the University of California consistently show acoustic quality as the single factor that elicits disapproval from office building occupants (see Fig. 1); and theÂ U.S. Green Building […]

The Y.M.C.A.’s Work Outside the Gym

June 15, 2015

As a Y.M.C.A. member since 1984, I know it as a great place to become and remain fit, make friends and receive encouragement and support. What I didnâ€™t know, and I suspect you donâ€™t either, is that theÂ Y.M.C.A. of the U.S.A.Â is also a prime mover nationwide in creating opportunities for healthier lifestyles, especially for those […]

Happy Paws
Renovation of a retail space into this humane pet training center which is co-owned by three non-profit animal groups in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Chesapeake. Located in Virginia Beach.
SPCA Satellite Center
The overpopulation of the local animal shelter in Virginia Beach, VA created the need for a retail location for this local non-profit group. The SPCA Satellite Center is located in Virginia Beach, VA.
YMCA Corporate Offices
The YMCA Corporate Office project was a renovated, two-story building in Chesapeake, VA that was transformed into a sleek, elegant, yet fun corporate office space for use by the YMCA of South Hampton Roads.
Twisted Yogurt Bar
Norfolk's "Twisted Yogurt Bar" was a design built from a renovated retail space on the campus of Old Dominion University. The design features a colorful, more artsy feel to set the atmosphere and drive a client base into the bar.