SENECA HOTEL ADAPTIVE RE-USE

This project consisted of the renovation of the historic Seneca Hotel, a national historic landmark situated on an urban site in downtown Columbus. This project has created a significant impact on the downtown Discovery District, since the existing landmark facility had sat vacant for nearly twenty years. The facility had deteriorated to a point that the city had ordered that the building be demolished, and the current owner purchased the building in an effort to save the landmark.Construction cost for the project are just over $15 million, with additional costs allocated to site improvements and retail improvements that have not yet been completed. The 139,000 SF facility is located near three colleges and university including Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus State Community College, Franklin University and Capitol University Law School.  Executed in conjunction with schematic architects, PZS Architects, of Philadelphia, the design includes retail spaces on the first floor and market rate-apartments on the remaining nine.

BEXLEY MADISON COMMUNITY SWIMMING POOL

The City of Bexley, Ohio approach WSA Studio with an urgent need to expedite community design consensus on the final aesthetic and design for a swimming pool complex.  After a year of failed attempts to build agreement on the direction for the facility, Bexley found a design team that was able to lead a process which delivered the facility on time and within budget, but most importantly, to high critical acclaim.  The final design capitalizes on a borrowed design aesthetic from its immediate site context and establishes a bucolic setting on the fringe of a community park.  The pool is a perfect spot for relaxation, rest and recovery from the hectic pace of life in our modern world.  WSA Studio is proud of their partnership with MSI Design, Landscape Architects, on the execution of this swimming facility.

COLUMBUS JACK

Located on the outskirts of the thriving Brewery District, a once abandoned warehouse underwent a major transformation to become a mixed-use building housing 6 luxury loft apartments.  Built in the early 1900’s, “The Jack,” is tucked away in the heart of the Brewery District and offers its new tentants a unique structure filled with heavy timber ceilings, aged and distresssed brick walls, industrial windows, raw concrete floors, a dramatic elevator shaftway, private parking and a roof terrace.

BUGGYWORKS AUTHENTIC URBAN LOFTS

The architectural idea features a respect for the integrity of the existing historic structure and embraces details, materials and elements of the existing structure.  All of the new interventions are strategically designed to be independent from the existing superstructure and complement the natural wood and brick.  Throughout the interior, existing materials were returned to their original state through abatement and sandblasting.  The result is a rich assemblage of natural, authentic building materials.  Additionally, most of the modern technologies are concealed, to maximize the appreciation of the original structure.  A plenum was designed to isolate noise transfer from floor to floor and also conveniently accommodate the ventilation, electrical and technology infrastructure.

SHORT NORTH HOUSING/GARDENS STUDY

WSA Studio recently completed a study of urban infill housing for the Short North area in Columbus.  The housing is designed to attract young, energetic, users interested in a simpler and sustainable lifestyle.  However, the units are not short on style, and the design makes great use of the tight site while incorporating urban gardening concepts and mixed use potential.

PLAIN TOWNSHIP POOL

The design of this project developed as an attempt to inspire visitors to learn about nature and the relationship of man to nature through intervention with a built environment. WSA’s approach was to design buildings that created contrast in relation to their surroundings. The result is an interesting landscape that incorporates natural and created wetlands, important geological mounds and structures with contrasting forms that use farm like and industrial materials in their most raw form.

SCIOTO VIEW SHOPPING CENTER RENOVATION

This aging strip mall is located adjacent to hundreds of residents on the edge of Upper Arlington. The owner selected to upgrade the facade, roof and landscaping to make the center viable to long-term leases at higher rates. WSA Studio worked with the Owner and the City of Upper Arlington to secure zoning and commission approvals.