The award-winning Wilson Road Trailhead was recently featured in Recreation Management. The article highlights the features of the park structure, and how the park connects local neighborhoods to a regional trail with iconic design.

Facility managers and professionals working throughout the managed recreation, sports and fitness industry turn to Recreation Management to stay informed on developments, trends and innovations that help them manage their own facilities. Available in print and digital formats, Recreation Management magazine, along with the RecManagement.com website and supporting email products and newsletters, examines cutting-edge facilities, best practices and innovative programs and projects, covering significant industry trends in-depth.

Read an excerpt of the article below.

Click here to visit the full article in Recreation Management.

inPRACTICE / TRAILHEAD: Wilson Road Park in Columbus, Ohio

Completed in 2017, Wilson Road Trailhead Park in Columbus, Ohio, earned a Merit Award (2018) from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Columbus Chapter, as well as an Honor Award (2017) from the AIA Ohio Chapter. Designed by multidisciplinary design firm WSA, the $450,000 project was funded by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, which received funding help from the Westside Community Fund, provided by the Hollywood Casino. At the same time, the Ohio Department of Transportation was funding the development of the connecting bike trails.

“The Wilson Road Trailhead project uses a simple, timeless structure to mark place and establish a community hub that promotes healthy living,” said WSA President Timothy Hawk, FAIA. “It’s pretty remarkable how this small intervention has made such a difference in the Columbus Westgate community.”

One of the main goals for the site was to provide a place for the community to gather. “Parks connect people and neighborhoods, and we wanted to create an environment unique to the neighborhood that could support community and be a part of the neighborhood they could embrace,” explained Sam Cejda, communications director for WSA. “Another aim was to also increase the sense of safety and comfort through development of a public park. It was our and the city’s goal to reinforce the sense of community in the neighborhood, and the establishment of the park was geared toward spurring further public development to enrich the community experience. . . CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE ON RECMANAGMENT.COM

WSA President, Tim Hawk, FAIA, and Studio Leader, Natalia Lebedin, AIA, were recently featured in Work Design Magazine. Their article, Client Love Letters to The Office: Top Office Wishes for 2024 was feature in Work Design’s Expert Insights.

Work Design Magazine is a thoughtfully curated digital publication with a global reach. The magazine focuses on the innovative design of the places we work, the performance of individuals, and value for the organization. The publication provides a forum to foster discussion and information sharing in the digital world, on social media, and at workplace-focused events.

Tim and Natalia’s editorial explores client engagement, and how collecting real-world love letters to the workplace can provide insights into what clients and employees truly want to see in workplace design.

Read an excerpt of the article below.

Click here to visit the full article in Work Design Magazine.

Client Love Letters to The Office: Top Office Wishes for 2024

As organization and workforce leaders formalize more return-to-office policies to attract and retain talent, they are rethinking their workspaces to align environments with new strategies and priorities that emerged coming out of the pandemic. In other words, they are telling architects and designers that things have changed – again.

The wish list of today looks different than that of last year, and maybe even that of last month. And, ironically, the one constant is that no two are exactly alike. Clients – and more specifically, employees that are impacted by workplace (re)designs – are asking for design solutions that support organizational goals, offer flexibility within thoughtful structure, create engaging environments, and reflect shared values.

Don’t take it at face value, but straight from the source. A love letter to the office might sound a little silly, but it is an engaging tool to employ during the predesign process. From the C-suite, to managers, to associates, and facilities staff, everyone not only interacts with the office in different ways but feels differently in and about the workplace. The love letters are a unique way to get people thinking about the way their space makes them feel, and how they want to feel. And these insights can help guide designers as they create spaces that meet modern needs.

Aligning Physical Space to Meet Organizational Strategy

“I love how you’ve evolved over the years, through technology and education. I am looking forward to seeing you grow even more.”
– Love Letter response from a client associate.

The top request from clients is to link physical workspace solutions to their overarching business objectives. To do that, it’s important to understand the character of the workplace. Is it a collaborative culture built on participation? A hierarchical culture with clear lines of accountability? An adhocracy of organic decision making? Or is the emphasis on individual performance?

Knowing the answer to this question can differentiate design solutions. By knowing where an organization stands – and just as importantly where they want to go – workplace designers can develop solutions for how an organization works and wants to work. . . CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE ON WORKDESIGN.COM

Take a look inside State Auto’s Columbus headquarters. Office Snapshots recently posted a feature of our project with State Auto Insurance Companies. Learn about the concept, process, and design that led to a newly renovated lobby that supports the needs of workers in a post-pandemic world.

Office Snapshots is a leading online resource for the global office design community.

Since 2007, Office Snapshots has been curating and publishing new projects, highlighting innovative products, and examining industry trends with the goal of improving the workplace, one office at a time. Office Snapshots takes people behind the scenes of some of the world’s most interesting companies.

Visit the Office Snapshots feature here. Or read more about State Auto and other client stories on our Work page.

We teamed up with our friends at The Joseph Group Capital Management to give Columbus Business First and inside look at their new space in the heart of Columbus’s Brewery District.

READ THE ARTICLE HERE

“We tried to keep in mind the balance of transparency in the design and privacy” – Kirsten Sheely, Studio Leader

Our update to the Nestlé Discover Center in Marysville, Ohio was featured on Office Snaphsots.

Office Snapshots is a leading online resource for the global office design community.

Since 2007, Office Snapshots has been curating and publishing new projects, highlighting innovative products, and examining industry trends with the goal of improving the workplace, one office at a time. Office Snapshots takes people behind the scenes of some of the world’s most interesting companies.

Visit the Office Snapshots feature here. Or read more about Nestle Endeavor and other client stories on our Work page.

The Settle Muter Electric Headquarters have been featured in Office Snapshots.

A highlight of the 22,000 square foot workspace is featured alongside workplaces from around the globe. Office Snapshots is an international publisher and curator of workplace design projects. Office Snapshot’s highlights take people behind the scenes of some of the world’s most interesting companies and examine advances in design trends with the goal of improving the workplace one office at a time.

Visit the Office Snapshots highlight of Settle Muter Electric here. And read more about SME and other client stories on our Work page.

Congratulations to our Studio Leader, Kirsten Sheely, for being named 2021-2022 President-Elect of the International Interior Design Association, Ohio/Kentucky Chapter! The Ohio/Kentucky Chapter is one of the largest chapters in the IIDA organization, consisting of nearly 600 members across all levels and spanning two states. As President-Elect, Kirsten will continue to promote their overarching mission to provide meaningful resources to commercial interior designers and their clients, enhancing the profession and business value.

Kirsten has served the IIDA in various capacities since 2004. Through out these years, Kirsten has maintained an active IIDA leadership presence in the community. As 2018 President of the Columbus Chapter, Kirsten reintroduced the Design Awards program to great success. She looks forward to using this new platform to build upon this success and boost awareness of regional design excellence.

In her new role, Kirsten is eager to lean into her duties as treasurer and aid the Board of Directors in how the Ohio/Kentucky chapter can best support their members and the community. She will also manage the Chapter’s resource development, officer and award elections, and prepare the annual budget as she prepares to step into the Chapter’s President position in 2023.

We are proud to have Kirsten’s leadership guiding WSA and excited to see her impact in this coming year!

We’re so proud to announce that our President, Timothy Hawk, FAIA, was elected 2022-2023 AIA National Treasurer! Tim has a long history of leadership and service with the AIA on both the local and national level, and he currently serves as the At-Large Director of the AIA National Board. He served as President of the AIA Columbus chapter in 2009-2010, and has acted as a Liaison to the AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students) for the last several years. In 2020, Tim was honored with an AIA Ohio Mentor Award, recognizing his personal contributions as a mentor to young architects across Ohio and the country.

“I am inspired to shape the work of the AIA as Treasurer. Together, we can assure that resources are aligned to grow our collective voice and expand our influence.”
– Timothy Hawk, FAIA

In his new role, Tim will continue to advocate for the profession and advance the mission of the organization. Tim’s platform as Treasurer focuses on strategically allocating AIA resources and increasing communication and transparency to members and leadership.

Congratulations, Tim! We are excited to see you continue to make a valuable impact with your insights and leadership.

Click here to read the AIA National press release on the 2021 Elections. Also, see what our friends at AIA Columbus wrote about Tim.

We’re so proud to be part of the story behind this innovative veterinary clinic at The Ohio State University designed by Davis Wince Architecture. The Frank Stanton Veterinary Spectrum of Care Clinic is one of the first university-owned facilities to feature spaces for both primary care services and educational training for veterinary students. With a variety of training rooms and patient care rooms, the clinic will better prepare students for a career in veterinary medicine upon graduation.

Check out a video of the virtual ribbon cutting below, featuring a gaggle of adorable corgis!

The clinic has a long history of partnership with Frank Stanton and the Stanton Foundation. Our graphic design team worked with the College of Veterinary Medicine to develop environmental graphic installations that describe the clinic’s mission and showcase Frank Stanton’s lifelong love for dogs and support for the University. Signage throughout the space was designed using black aluminum with signature scarlet accents for a consistent, elevated aesthetic. Columbus Sign Company installed the graphics.

Check out the 10TV News article on the clinic here.

We have been nominated for the 2021 Columbus CEO Best of Business Awards! You can help us reach our goal by voting for us as the Best Architectural Firm and Best Interior Design Firm in Columbus. Vote daily until May 14, 2021.

Thank you so much for your support of our mission! We’re grateful to be considered among our inspiring design colleagues in the city.

Vote here!

Upstart, a tech-based lending company from San Mateo, California, has officially opened its new headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. This innovative company utilizes artificial intelligence to create an automated, equitable lending process. WSA worked with Upstart to design their new space in the 711 N. High Street building in the bustling Short North neighborhood. The design features blended workspace, with open desks punctuated by comfortable break-out seating for quick collaboration, and several conference rooms for focus and privacy. The glass facade allows natural light to filter into each corner of the office and provides unique views of the city.

Upstart strategically chose Columbus for its second location, due to the rapid growth of the city and a high concentration of talented professionals. In its first year, the company has already surpassed its hiring goal of 100 employees in Columbus in 2019.

Read more about the Upstart Columbus office in Columbus Business First.

COhatch, the largest coworking company in Columbus, is making its first out-of-state expansion. WSA is partnering with COhatch and Brand Stamp to design their latest office hub in Noblesville, Indiana, a suburb just north of Indianapolis. The space is conveniently located in Hamilton Town Center, with access to retail and dining within walking distance. As coworking sweeps the professional world, COhatch offers a unique concept that focuses on community first. By utilizing existing spaces, each location features a distinct aesthetic and amenities, in addition to the shared benefits available to members.

Read more about the expansion in Columbus Business First.

Renderings created in collaboration with Brand Stamp.

The Point at Otterbein University serves as a model for the future of work and learning. It houses unique spaces where business meets hands-on education in the form of student internships. Most recently, Otterbein partnered with JPMorgan Chase to create a financial technology innovation center where students can work alongside Chase employees to research and develop inventive technology solutions. These corporate sponsorships are mutually beneficial, as the rented work spaces provide revenue for the University, professional experience for students, and the opportunity for businesses to recruit talented students as full-time employees. The City of Westerville also prospers with greater economic development as more corporations are established within the municipality.

Read the article from ThisWeekNews.

Fuse is designed as a satelite innovation center for Cardinal Health’s technology development team. WSA Studio worked with Fuse Vice President Brent Stutz to create a place that would incite change in the overall workplace culture at Cardinal Health. The design features a central open office concept with surrounding conference rooms and flexible offices that allow employees to choose the environment that best suits their work needs throughout the day. As a result, employees spend more time in collaborative conversations and brainstorming sessions, leading to better solutions. In describing Fuse, Brent says: “This is more than a building; it’s a philosophy.”

Read the article from the Columbus Dispatch.

The new Forge location has officially opened in Jefferson, Iowa. This technology incubation center by Pillar Technology/Accenture is part of a greater movement that is connecting talented employees with innovative jobs right here in the Midwest. It will also provide internships and professional development opportunities for local students and host tech-based competitions. The opening celebration attracted industry leaders and Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds, to promote the venture.

Read the article from the Des Moines Register.

WSA worked with Priority Designs to transform an abandoned car dealership in Whitehall into a new office space, design studio, conference center, and fabrication studio. In 2013, owners Paul and Lois Kolada recognized the need for more space as their business continued to grow. The pair were excited by the opportunity to undergo a visionary renovation and invest in an upcoming neighborhood. The City of Whitehall has cited the renovation as a model for community improvement and the value of public/private partnerships.

“We couldn’t afford something this big or this spacious if it wasn’t in this area,” Paul said.

Since construction of this project, the City of Whitehall has secured 50 million dollars of proposed redevelopment. These plans mostly feature the revitalization of existing buildings rather than new construction. By embracing the architecture and context of the neighborhood, Whitehall is reclaiming the future of their city on their terms.

Read the article in the Columbus Dispatch.

The PAST Foundation provides STEM education opportunities for K-12 students in Central Ohio. Their mission, “Link learning and life,” is carried out through hands-on extracurricular programs like coding bootcamps and competetive robotics teams. In 2018, PAST received a grant from the Verizon Foundation to contribute to STEM education in Columbus. These programs help students develop technical knowledge and critical thinking skills that prepare them for careers.

Read the article from the PAST Foundation.

As part of the long-term master plan for Blue Label Digital Printing, they have added 20,000 square feet of production space to their existing warehouse and offices. Blue Label has seen steady growth since 2015, and needs more room to accommodate their advanced digital printing technology. This project is one in a series of renovations that WSA has designed at the facility, with others including the administrative offices and amenity spaces, and the production warehouse.

Read the article from AreaDevelopment.

The innovation center located in the Encova Insurance headquarters has sparked a cultural change in the organization. After conducting staff interviews, WSA determined that the greatest challenge facing the business was attracting and retaining talented employees. In order to create a desirable culture for emerging professionals, the design team implemented a new office concept that features open work stations, private conferencing, and areas for collaborative brainstorming. The renovations also included amenity spaces such as a fitness center and kitchenette. WSA has since formed a strong partnership with Encova, and has continued to update spaces throughout the Columbus campus.

Read the article in Columbus Business First.