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Project Type: Public

Northeast Community YMCA

“Everything in this YMCA was built with purpose, on purpose.” — Terri Harvill, Chief Social Impact Officer, YMCA “I believe that other communities across the country will have other developments that look like this. But we know where the idea came from.” — Terri Harvill, Chief Social Impact Officer, YMCA

The renovation of the Northeast YMCA in Roebuck transformed the facility into a true community resource center.

Through partnerships with Christ Health Center, Impact Family Counseling, and Habitat for Humanity, the Northeast Community YMCA offers expanded services including wellness programs, pediatric care, family counseling, an early learning center, workforce training, and affordable housing.

“Everything in this YMCA was built with purpose, on purpose.”

— Terri Harvill, Chief Social Impact Officer, YMCA

The gym and adjacent multi-purpose room are flexible to accommodate a variety of fitness classes, games, and meetings.

From the exterior signage and color palette to the interior finishes and custom donor wall, each design element is durable, functional, and reflects the YMCA’s brand.

CCR provided architecture, interior design, and signage design services for this project.

Single-family homes built by Habitat for Humanity will surround the Northeast YMCA and create a purpose-built, walkable neighborhood.

Rendering of the completed development

Our team was excited to spend a day volunteering with Habitat for Humanity to help build one of the homes on-site.

“I believe that other communities across the country will have other developments that look like this. But we know where the idea came from.”

— Terri Harvill, Chief Social Impact Officer, YMCA

Dan Pile, former YMCA President and CEO, with the Roebuck Initiative dedication plaque honoring his vision, humor, leadership, and grace.

We are proud of our work created in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Birmingham:

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Jasper City Hall

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.

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Cullman OmniPlex

Located within Cullman, Alabama’s 155-acre omnisports district, a new large-scale multisports complex now provides expansive space for indoor and outdoor community events.

The City of Cullman identified the need for a new flexible, multi-purpose venue after going through a recent growth spurt in sports tourism, community development, and local recreation event scheduling.

Our firm was brought on to design the development to fit the City’s needs and their budgeting constraints.

  • LocationCullman, AL
  • Project Type
    Public
  • Client City of Cullman, AL

The new development is designed to host a variety of events, including large concerts, expositions, trade shows, and charity events. To manage several events at once, adaptability was a priority.

Its core includes an open gym with 8 basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, and 6 pickleball courts with accompanying seating for spectators.

Supporting spaces include concession stands, 4 ballrooms, and 8 meeting spaces for events ranging from committee meetings to mass gatherings.

The gym, meeting spaces, and ballrooms were fitted with room partitions to accommodate events happening simultaneously.

The facility also houses a commercial kitchen, conference rooms, a director’s room, team rooms, and a large outdoor covered plaza, with 340+ parking spaces.

Designed for durability and adaptability, the OmniPlex will serve the Cullman community for generations.

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UAB Hilton Hotel

Lobby Rooms Grand Staircase Meeting Spaces Restaurant Outdoor Space

The renovation of the UAB Hilton created a clean, luxurious space with a professional and collegiate feel.

This project began as a lobby and staircase renovation and gradually expanded to the 14 floors of rooms and restaurant. Each facet of the project reflects the spirit of the University of Alabama at Birmingham while tying in elements of the surrounding city.

The lobby is often a university visitor’s first impression of Birmingham and of UAB, so the material palette uses black iron accents and UAB’s green to establish a strong connection to Birmingham—The Iron City—and to the university.

It was vital that our team incorporated the the same material palette and overall aesthetic throughout each floor of the hotel.

Lobby

Previously dark and dated, the renovated lobby features high-contrast textures and materials that create four defined zones of use: reception, café, lounge, and waiting.

High-quality furniture, textile selections, and custom wall graphics give each area a comfortable, friendly character.

Rooms

Updated finishes, wallcoverings, paint, rugs, furniture, and bathrooms create an accessible oasis with views of Birmingham. Headboards on the 11th floor were reupholstered with a green fabric. Our graphics department selected photographs for 13th floor rooms to incorporate UAB school spirit.

Grand Staircase

Seating at the bottom of the renovated grand staircase creates space for hotel guests, visitors, and event attendees to work or relax.

Meeting Spaces

From the grand staircase, guests are guided into a multi-purpose space that connects them to several adjacent rooms.

Event rooms on the bottom floor were transformed from dark, drab spaces into a luxurious energetic environment.

Benches throughout the multi-purpose event space were reupholstered and lighting arrangements were reused for cost effectiveness.

New fabrics, flooring, and paint throughout the corridor, meeting rooms, and banquet halls converted this space and tied in design elements from the lobby and hotel rooms using low-impact and cost-effective measures.

Restaurant

An upscale sports-themed restaurant for hotel guests to experience good food and the spirit of UAB.

The renovation of the hotel warranted a restaurant with a new edge. The restaurant’s previous finishes were swapped with custom wall graphics, new lighting fixtures, and wood finishes to establish a fine-dining environment.

Recessed light fixtures were selected to concentrate the lighting and cast shadows for a dramatic mood.

Color changing LED lighting above the bar, enables the owner to change the tone of the restaurant for late nights and events.

For the guests’ sports-watching needs, a large screen tv was installed along the custom sports graphic.

Artwork throughout the restaurant was condensed to promote a cohesive theme.

The client needed a way to close off the breakfast buffet during the day.

A new Faulk wall system with sliding doors and faux wood finishes was the ideal solution for the issue. Employees can easily slide the doors open and closed to fill, empty, and clean the buffet everyday.

The seamless installation ties in the wood finishes found throughout the lobby.

The client prompted us to reimagine their restaurant as
an upscale sports-themed experience that encapsulates the spirit of the UAB Blazers and promotes a
high-end experience.

Our graphic design team designed a new logo, menus, custom wall graphics, signage, and elevator wraps to inspire the interior design of the restaurant.

Outdoor Space

We added bright green canopies to provide shade on the outdoor deck and reference the UAB brand system.

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16th Street Baptist Church Education and Visitors Center

Catalyst for Change Produced by: Joshua Jackson; Cinematography & Editing: Joshua Jackson; Project Partner: 16th Street Baptist Church; Executive Interviewees: Rev. Arthur Price Jr. & Dr. Terrence Brown; Project Support: UAB Barefield Entrepreneurship Program; Featured: Mary Lynn Bailey & Essex Goodmon

The multipurpose education and visitors center will be located adjacent to the existing parsonage and sanctuary buildings.

The new 13,000 SF building will include meeting rooms, a dining area, a commercial kitchen, and support space to enhance the historic parish’s ability to receive visitors.

The design honors, respects, and complements the historic 16th Street Baptist Church and aims to fill the needs of the Civil Rights District moving forward.

“This new building addition will symbolize the movement from ‘a dark past’ to a new light of hope and vision for the entire community. We are committed to preserving this important legacy and continuing the fight for social justice and equality for all people.” 

Rev. Arthur Price, Jr., pastor of the 16th Street Baptist Church 

Catalyst for Change

Produced by: Joshua Jackson; Cinematography & Editing: Joshua Jackson; Project Partner: 16th Street Baptist Church; Executive Interviewees: Rev. Arthur Price Jr. & Dr. Terrence Brown; Project Support: UAB Barefield Entrepreneurship Program; Featured: Mary Lynn Bailey & Essex Goodmon

Learn more about the 16th Street Baptist Church and the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

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Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center

The existing Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center is located on City-owned property and was severely damaged in 2018 due to Hurricane Michael.

The new 30,000 SF facility will include a gymnasium, fitness room, STEAM lab, E-sports room, arts & crafts room, teaching kitchen, a recording studio, and an editing studio.

The City of Panama City hired CCR to provide comprehensive design services for a complete recreation center (buildings and site) in the Glenwood Community.

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BJCC Legacy Arena

As part of a team of local architects, CCR worked under Kansas City-based Populous to transform a brutalist building from the 1970s into a clean, modern venue to host regional and national sports competitions, concerts, and events.

The major project components include a new entry plaza, new three-story lobby, and a complete interior renovation.

  • LocationBirmingham, AL
  • Project Type
    Hospitality Public
  • Award 2023 Merit Award, AIA Birmingham
Before
After

Our team replaced the arena’s original façade with a new three-story glazed lobby addition that faces the Birmingham skyline, fills the lobby with natural light, and invites visitors to the arena through a tree-lined entry plaza.

New stairs, elevators, and escalators in the lobby provide clear wayfinding and an expedited entry and exit process.

The Main Concourse renovation included opening it up to the seating bowl to enhance connectivity and wayfinding, incorporating new lighting and signage, and upgrading the concessions stands and restrooms to modern arena standards.

By creating a break in the original seating bowl, we were able to add two premium seating levels: the Suite Level with 12 private suites and the Club Level above. The Club Level can accommodate larger parties and provide an elevated viewing experience with nearby bar access.

The renovation has improved every step of the visitor experience and attracted a new generation of high-profile performers, sports competitions, and major regional and national events, and supports the upward trajectory of the city of Birmingham.

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The Venue at Coosa Landing

The City of Gadsden, Alabama was looking for a replacement for an aging convention hall that could no longer adequately serve the community, so CCR took up the challenge of converting the structure into a 21-century event center fit to host the gamut of riverfront and community events.

The project includes 20,000 square feet of retail space and riverfront parcels for future development. The entry features a special door for vehicles so outdoor riverfront events can be brought directly indoors.

  • LocationGadsden, AL
  • Project Type
    Public
Before
After

The interior of the Venue includes a 7,500 square foot ballroom which can be subdivided into 3 separate meeting rooms. Dressing rooms, a full catering kitchen, concessions, main lobby, and outdoor patio are all within the newly renovated facility.

Support areas include dressing rooms, a green room and a full catering kitchen as well as a concession stand in the main lobby.

The patios and landscaping tie directly into the riverfront parks and marina so festivals and tournaments can seamlessly flow between the indoors and out.

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Birmingham Wrestling Complex

The Birmingham Wrestling Complex is comprised of a wrestling arena with spectator viewing areas, a central lobby, gift shop, concession stand, locker rooms and glass-paneled garage doors that establish a connection to the outdoors.

  • LocationVestavia Hills, AL
  • Project Type
    Public

The outline of the central wrestling area is replicated throughout various elements of the interior, including toned shapes on the walls and the ring in the ceiling above the Schaatt Wrestling Gym entrance.

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Smile-A-Mile Place

Smile-A-Mile, Alabama’s program for children with cancer, had outgrown their space and approached us to help build a home to host their families outside the hospital.

Hence, Smile-A-Mile Place was born out of an old warehouse in the Parkside District just a few blocks from Children’s of Alabama.

In addition to 2,500 square feet of office space for the staff, the project includes 6,000 square feet of event space for interacting with the children.

  • LocationBirmingham, AL
  • Project Type
    Commercial Public
  • Award 2018 Merit Award, AIA Alabama

The spaces recall beloved moments the children spend together on Lake Martin and provide them year-round and convenient access to the hospital.

The families can gather in a circle in the Community Room with the dramatic backdrop of a sky-lit custom metal stair known as “The Mountain”.

Along with rooms for arts & crafts and exercising, a small theater built of reclaimed wood hosts talent shows.

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