Work Program Architects

Work Program Architects Work Program Architects (WPA) is a design firm dedicated to strengthening communities through a collaborative design process.

WPA's talented team includes architects, urban designers, interior designers, and graphic designers. WPA's talented team includes architects, urban designers, interior designers, and graphic designers, all working together to create impactful, sustainable solutions for the built environment. They specialize in projects that enhance social, economic, and coastal resilience.

Congratulations to the five WPA projects that earned HRACRE 2026 Excellence in Development Design Awards!Best Renovated ...
05/29/2026

Congratulations to the five WPA projects that earned HRACRE 2026 Excellence in Development Design Awards!

Best Renovated or Historic Rehabilitation Project: Nauticus — Phase I and II

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Best Interior: Norfolk State University Herman H. Bozeman Hall Renovation






Best Small Project: Chrysler Museum of Art Goode Works on Paper Center








Best Institutional / Public Building and
Juror’s Choice — Excellence in Development Design: Chrysler Museum of Art Perry Glass Studio Expansion






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Norfolk Academy sophomores and juniors participating in the architecture and engineering Maymester were led through a se...
05/26/2026

Norfolk Academy sophomores and juniors participating in the architecture and engineering Maymester were led through a series of immersive, environmental resilience-centric learning activities on Colley Avenue last Friday — and WPA is thrilled to have partnered with the school for the fourth spring in a row!

The Bulldogs’ itinerary began with a Ryan Resilience Lab tour led by WPA Project Architect Sam Bowling, SGA Principal Landscape Architect Mike Fox, Wetlands Watch Executive Director Mary-Carson Stiff, and ERP Development & Public Engagement Associate Pam Northam. All four tour guides provided extensive knowledge in their relevant fields on sustainability, resilience, sea level rise, and coastal flooding, and how architecture and design can have the power to address a community’s environmental challenges.

The Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience (ICAR) Assistant Director for Engagement Andrew Larkin and his ODU research team hosted a water quality testing activity on the ERP Research Dock, where the students took turns operating the team’s aquatic drone in the Elizabeth River. ICAR’s Program Manager Vince Hodges took them on a site tour, introducing the Bulldogs to the organization’s commitment to researching recurrent flooding and coastal resilience and deploying innovative solutions to their community.

Their day concluded with an afternoon of service for Norfolk’s EcoDistrict. The students helped collect trash along Colley Avenue to leave the space better than they found it.

As the Norfolk Academy Maymester continues, WPA reflects on the Bulldogs’ strong, successful kickoff to their learning and exploration of sustainable and adaptable design last week. Our team is honored to help these young, motivated members of our community find a spark in environmental stewardship!

Maury High School students showed up to our Final Finishes / Interiors meeting last Thursday as empowered young designer...
05/21/2026

Maury High School students showed up to our Final Finishes / Interiors meeting last Thursday as empowered young designers, fully engaged and energized to contribute to the future planning of their new school.

They tested out Heartland’s full-size classroom mock-up, to include interior elements like furniture, finishes, and flooring. The students provided valuable feedback to the project team as we approach next steps!

05/14/2026

The kind of cross-disciplinary conversations that rarely happen in one room are all happening in one day at Virginia MOCA. You'll want to be here for this.💡

Join us for a one-day convening inspired by the exhibition Seamless: Art and Design and the opening of our new home.

This full-day conference-style gathering brings together artists, designers, architects, and creative practitioners for featured conversations, concurrent breakout sessions, and opportunities to connect, exchange ideas, and celebrate local creative work, exploring how creative disciplines can share ideas and solve problems together.

🎟️ $75 for Virginia MOCA Members; $90 for nonmembers. Breakfast and lunch included!

-- FEATURED CONVERSATIONS --

Our New Home | Executive Director Alison Byrne and Michael Schnekser, Tymoff+Moss Architects

From the Streets to the Studio | Exhibiting artists Andy Howell and Eric Haze, with Senior Curator Heather Hakimzadeh

-- BREAKOUT SESSIONS --

Immersive Design | Thom White, Work Program Architects & Patrick Mullins, Rouge VA

Concept to Cafe | Ron Thompson, Italic Studio

Craft in the Age of AI | Jeffery White, Second Sight Creative

Behind the Wall | Virginia MOCA Gallery & Exhibitions Manager David Culpepper

The Multidisciplinary Business of Hospitality | Ethel Grace Delacruz, Have A Good Day

While We Wait | Ryan Fremeau, Work Program Architects

Soundings: Art, Ecology, Collaboration | Brendan Baylor, Old Dominion University and Kelly Morse, 70|30 Design Studio

Last Friday marked a meaningful milestone for the William A. Hunton YMCA, with the official deed signing for its future ...
04/23/2026

Last Friday marked a meaningful milestone for the William A. Hunton YMCA, with the official deed signing for its future home in St. Paul’s.

Building on a 150-year legacy of service, the new 32,000 SF facility will expand Hunton’s role as a safe haven and community resource, creating more space for early childhood education, civic gathering, and programs that support health, wellness, and life skills for all ages.

Learn more: https://wparch.com/news-updates/hunton-ymca-acquires-land-to-build-new-complex-in-norfolk/

We’re excited to celebrate Sharon Manana’s recognition as a Virginia Business Forty Under 40 honoree! She’s more than ou...
04/13/2026

We’re excited to celebrate Sharon Manana’s recognition as a Virginia Business Forty Under 40 honoree! She’s more than our director of community engagement, she is a foundational contributor to WPA’s core values of collaborative, community-driven work.

Congratulations Sharon!

Read more about it in the comments.

Inclusion and diversity are primary pillars of our work culture. WPA leaders share the spotlight as AIA Virginia’s JEDI ...
03/25/2026

Inclusion and diversity are primary pillars of our work culture. WPA leaders share the spotlight as AIA Virginia’s JEDI Committee talks about building a strong future for the next generation of architects.

After years of community discussion, planning and debate, Norfolk city leaders and school officials have officially brok...
02/19/2026

After years of community discussion, planning and debate, Norfolk city leaders and school officials have officially broken ground on the new Maury High School. Media from throughout the region and beyond marked this major milestone. Here’s a recap of the coverage. https://wparch.com/news-updates/maury-high-school-breaks-ground/

Big news: WPA is expanding to North Carolina!We’re excited to open our new Raleigh office, extending our work in communi...
02/11/2026

Big news: WPA is expanding to North Carolina!

We’re excited to open our new Raleigh office, extending our work in community-driven, resilient design across the Triangle and surrounding communities. Led by Sam Bowling and Rae LeClair, the Raleigh team will support growth, preservation, and long-term resilience throughout the region. Raleigh, we’re glad to be here.

We’re accepting applications for the summer 2026 Representation and Diversity (RAD) Internship & Scholarship. Link in bi...
02/09/2026

We’re accepting applications for the summer 2026 Representation and Diversity (RAD) Internship & Scholarship.

Link in bio for full details.

Address

400 Granby Street, Ste 301
Norfolk, VA
23510

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17572275310

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