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Project Type: Historical Renovation

Jasper City Hall

Photography by Omar Mohammad

The renovation of the historic Sherer Auditorium in downtown Jasper was a careful restoration and adaptive reuse of a cherished civic landmark.

Originally constructed as a municipal auditorium in 1938 as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA)—a New Deal program initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935—the stone structure has long stood as a symbol of local resilience and craftsmanship. The renovated historic building now serves as Jasper City Hall.

1938–1972
1972–2023

The building’s original character was concealed beneath a modernist facade added in 1972. This project reversed that transformation by carefully removing the 1972 overlay and revealing the original stonework beneath.

Working with a local quarry, the design team restored damaged or missing portions of the historic stone exterior while preserving the architectural integrity of the original WPA construction.

Due to evolving codes and programmatic requirements for improved circulation and access, a new tower addition provides ADA-compliant vertical movement and secondary egress.

The new tower addition, constructed of glass and metal panels, intentionally departs from the heavy stone of the original building while still complementing the existing structure through thoughtful scale and proportion.

The use of glass allows daylight to filter deep into the circulation core, transforming a utilitarian element into a welcoming and engaging experience. Metal panels provide a sleek counterpoint to the rough-hewn stone.

The tower is also strategically set back from the primary facade, preserving the prominence of the original structure.

A steel and wood trellis was also added along the creek-facing side of the building.

This feature creates a multipurpose outdoor area adjacent to the creek that is designed to support community events and provide covering for future tenant spaces located on the lower level.

The trellis is supported by three-pronged columns, inspired by the branching form of a nearby tree, that blend the structure with its natural surroundings.

The project included a complete interior renovation that modernized the building while respecting its original proportions and detailing.

The council chamber combines openness and flexibility with restored historic elements, exposed trusses, and soda-blasted stone and wood. Refurbished velvet curtains with a steel valance conceal AV equipment and enhance acoustics, while a movable council desk allows the space to transform easily for community events.

Reconciling the building’s tall existing window openings with contemporary office functions was another design challenge.

New insulated clad historic windows were added, and floating ceilings were used to allow natural light to filter deeply into each space without compromising the sense of scale.

Beyond their historic significance and beauty, the building’s original stone walls offer substantial environmental benefits.

The stone’s high thermal mass plays a crucial role in energy efficiency by naturally regulating indoor temperatures. Stone walls can store heat during the day and release it slowly at night, reducing the impact on the heating and cooling systems.

In addition, stone’s resilience against weathering, fire, and wear also contributes to the building’s long-term sustainability and minimizes the need for future material replacement.

The design celebrates the building’s history while integrating modern elements that ensure its functionality for many years to come. The result is a sensitive blend of old and new—a timeless civic space that reaffirms the value of preservation, sustainability, and community investment.

Photography by Omar Mohammad

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Total Dermatology

Total Dermatology is a full-service medical, surgical, and cosmetic clinic with a holistic approach to patient wellness.

The practice’s aesthetic spa, Total on 1st, is located on the first floor of the historic Woodward Building in downtown Birmingham. This project completed the renovation of the first floor and moved the dermatology office to the floors above.

Through elevated aesthetics and the alignment of functions, the design increases providers’ efficiency, enhances patient privacy, and creates an upscale, patient-focused experience.

Organic forms, calming colors, images of nature, and custom graphics create a soothing atmosphere for patients and staff. Acoustic panels divide large waiting rooms into smaller areas for a more comfortable experience.

Custom film featuring the practice’s flower logomark obstructs the view from public and staff spaces into patient spaces.

The design utilizes modular wall systems that allow future aesthetic and maintenance modifications that eliminate in-place construction.

Cabinets, cushioned benches with a storage drawer below, and wardrobes offer places for materials and patient belongings to be secure and tucked away.

Integrated TVs feature promotional advertisements and custom, writeable wall graphics provide a place to document important procedural information.

Corridor touchdown spaces have integrated locking cabinets for supplies and machinery and allow for efficient restocking of the exam rooms.

Staff spaces are tucked away from the patient areas and incorporate organic forms in curved furniture, soffits, lighting, and a custom-built conference table.

We worked closely with the client throughout the design process and provided renderings to communicate our ideas and aid in decision making.

The provider and staff offices have a clean, minimal aesthetic.

Using a combination of wood-look paneling and white panels that tie into the existing perimeter wall minimized expense and eliminated the long lead times and long construction times of traditional millwork.

A divider partition between the CEO and CFO offices provides options for privacy and quick collaboration in an otherwise limited space. Integrated whiteboards and a writeable film on the divider partition offer surfaces to brainstorm ideas and strategize.

A first-floor break room provides a space for Total on 1st and Total Dermatology staff to connect and recharge.

Guided by the philosophy that self-care is about health, not just cosmetics, the design of Total Dermatology’s medical office provides an upscale experience that prioritizes patients’ physical and emotional needs.

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Phelps Dunbar

Prior to moving to the historic Massey Building, Phelps Dunbar’s office space was dark, with heavy wood walls and furniture.

The design of their new office space focuses on natural light, brighter finishes, and the firm’s branding.

Each floor in their suite is defined by a different experience: lobby and reception on the 10th floor, breakroom on the 9th floor, and the law library on the 8th floor.

To connect the three floors, we modernized an existing interior stair through glass railings and walls and stone-look tile.

The increased natural light and bright finishes deliver a sleek, professional aesthetic.

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St. Francis Xavier Parish Office

Built in the 1950s as a convent, the inconspicuous office building needed a point of entry and more space.

Cutting through the middle of the building created a more inviting entrance and allowed for the addition of a lobby, break room, conference rooms, and more office spaces. The glass gabled structure provides a strong visual focus, creates a place for vertical circulation, and takes advantage of the wooded view beyond.

Through the generosity of the Hayden family and the parish, we were able to bring new life to this building.

Before
After

Design elements including the light fixture by the front door and the flooring in the lobby and breakroom mimic traditional stained glass.

Downstairs, a hall of offices leads to a new outdoor patio.

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Harmony Venture Labs

This vibrant office space supports a team of innovators, designers, marketers, and operators that launch, grow, and support startups.

The flexible co-working office environment makes it easy for companies of various sizes to work in pods and share amenity spaces.

Lighting, local art, comfortable spaces, and the preservation and modernization of this historic building were the focuses of the design.

We worked closely with the National Park Service during the historic preservation process to protect and maintain important aspects of the building such as wood timber framing (columns, beams, and joists) and exposed interior and exterior masonry with brick detailing.

In the main lobby, the luminous two-story atrium features sound-dampening light fixtures that symbolize the splitting and multiplication of ideas in the startup growth process.

Circulation and proximity to a variety of meeting spaces, coffee bars, and restrooms was important to the team. As a result, the office accommodates a wide range of work styles with spaces for collaboration and quiet, focused work.

Soda-blasting the wood structure and repointing the existing brick walls brought new life to this historic building. Blue tile, carpet, paint, and furniture pieces throughout the space reference the Harmony Venture Labs brand.

Amenities including a library, game room, cafeteria-style break room, and a covered rooftop lounge encourage team members to socialize, connect, and unwind.

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Theatre Lofts

This Historic Tax Credit-funded renovation combined the Graves building and Robert & Sons building to create 46 unique one and two-bedroom luxury loft apartments.

Located in the heart of the Theatre District, the renovated building is adjacent to the Lyric Theatre and directly across the street from the Alabama Theatre – two of Birmingham’s premier performing arts venues.

The design incorporates the history of the area and of the building itself – creating unique apartments that combine clean, modern style and historical design elements.

The design team included as many of the original building elements as possible to add texture to the space and maintain the building’s historic character.

Beadboard ceilings, exposed brick walls, and original windows, doors, tile, and floors add warmth to the sleek, modern interiors.

Theatre Lofts provides a high-end, mature option for those looking to live in an apartment surrounded by downtown activity and culture.

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Total on 1st

This renovation of the first floor of the historic Woodward Building in downtown Birmingham houses a clinical spa that offers the most advanced non-invasive treatments for the body, face, and skin.

Soft, fluid forms and earthy, sophisticated Italianate tile and bronze materials reference the practice’s branding, the Neolithic earth goddess, fertility symbols, and the rivers of life. Flowing water features, scented air, and soothing sounds enhance the visitor experience.

The entrance lobbies and treatment bar are bright and open with views to the busy street outside.

Inside the main entrance, visitors are greeted at a curved desk with water imagery and the spa’s branding projected on the wall above.

The large, curving walls are coated in a shimmering, iridescent plaster and conceal the waiting room and clinical spaces, creating separation to ensure privacy and relaxation.

The lighting and materials in the waiting room, hallway, treatment rooms, and restrooms create a quiet, soothing environment.

Shelves inspired by the shape of a water droplet display skincare product offerings.

Behind the retail area, the oval-shaped waiting room is covered in a custom wallcovering inspired by the spa’s branding, and oval windows allow a limited amount of natural light into the space.

Taking inspiration from water and elements of nature, the space provides a place of relaxation and respite from the busy downtown environment just outside its doors.

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Shipt Tower

This 120,000 SF renovation includes six floors of office space, conference and training rooms, a gym open to all building staff, amenity areas, and the Welcome Center on the building’s first floor.

The design features raw, structural concrete and glazing to allow natural light to penetrate the space.

The office space includes a reception and waiting area, lounge, break rooms, telephone rooms, conference rooms, and open office with sit/stand workstations. Like the Welcome Center, the upper floors are highly collaborative and characterized by a sleek, modern style.

Furniture and carpet selection deliver bold pops of green to reference Shipt’s branding and color palette. Lighting fixtures also create visual interest in the reception area and large conference rooms.

A testament to Shipt’s culture and creativity, amenity areas such as the arcade, bar, game room, and Refresh Room provide an opportunity for employees to relax and recharge away from their desks.

Although they remain cohesive with the rest of the space, the amenity areas feature a more casual, playful style and function.

A triptych by Nashville-based artist Tess Davies enhances the colorful style of the Arcade. Custom neon signage by Magic City Neon and artwork by local artist Sara Heath enhance the tranquil, relaxing environment of the Refresh Room.

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Shipt Welcome Center

This renovation of the first floor of Shipt Tower features a welcome center designed to facilitate collaboration and enhance the experience of Shipt’s employees, clients and partners.

Large, illuminated signage and glass doors provide way finding to the welcome center from the building lobby.

Before
After

Inside the glass doors, a reception desk, lounge area and coffee bar create an inviting entry into the space and present a variety of seating Inside the glass doors, a reception desk, lounge area and coffee bar create an inviting entry into the space and present a variety of seating options.

Beyond the coffee bar, workstations and various conference rooms are available for collaborative or individual work. Similar to Shipt’s office space on the floors above, the design is sleek and modern with ample natural light and bold pops of color. 

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Biso Collective

Biso believes that a healthy culture is the key to sustainable success, so their space was designed to be welcoming, flexible and multi-purpose.

The design includes a new covered entry at the parking area, open workspace, conference rooms, a community room and café, phone rooms, patio space and a courtyard.

A mixture of bright, bold colors, natural light, and reinvigorated materials create a vibrant environment intended to fuel creativity and collaboration.

The community room furniture was selected with flexibility in mind and can accommodate large group presentations, training sessions and networking events.

A mural painted by Bendy Knees Design and custom conference room signage painted by Fitz Signs & Murals give the space character and highlight local Birmingham artists.

The tile on the kitchen island spells out “Biso” in binary code as a reference to Biso’s work with technology companies.

Soda blasting the ceiling and adding skylights reinvigorated this historic building. Maintaining the wood structure and exposed mechanical, electrical and pendant lighting gives the space a light, modern feel.

Before
After Soda Blasting the Ceiling

The restoration of the exterior was focused on maintaining and elevating the style of this historic train depot building.

We replaced the original roof with metal roofing, insulation and skylights and kept the wood framing exposed below. Windows with small profile black aluminum framing were selected to mimic historic steel windows.

The new covered entry provides clear, easy access to the building from the main parking lot and offers cover to visitors during inclement weather.

Before
After

The combination of dedicated workspace, meeting space and community spaces supports Biso’s culture-focused mission.

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