Walker Architects, Inc.

Project Spotlight: UF Early Childhood Collaboratory at Baby Gator! We’re proud to share our latest achievement under our IDIQ (Continuing Services Contract) with the University of Florida. The UF Early Childhood Collaboratory at Baby Gator exemplifies our commitment to fostering high-quality early childhood education in a nurturing environment. This project involved: - Adding two building extensions totaling 14,790 sq. ft., increasing classroom capacity. - Enhancing outdoor playground areas, ensuring ample space for exploration and play. - Renovating the existing facility with fresh paint, flooring, and upgraded HVAC systems. - Incorporating child-friendly amenities like sinks and restrooms in every classroom. - Designing interactive casework and strategically positioned windows to promote engagement and a connection to nature. Our Agile Design approach focused on promoting engagement, collaboration, and a connection to the surrounding natural environment. UF Early Childhood Collaboratory at Baby Gator stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful design and collaborative vision in shaping the future of early childhood education. A big thank you to all of our partners, who helped make this project a success! Mitchell Gulledge, Miller Engineering LLC, CHW, an NV5 company, Decker Construction, and University of Florida. Photo credit: Seamus Payne To learn more about our IDIQ and continuing services contract projects, check out this article on our website: https://lnkd.in/em8mpcjE

Check out the Santa Fe College International Center to see how an agile mindset can be applied to renovate and elevate the student experience. The third floor of Building S was transformed into a collaborative student space with a computer classroom, offices, and enhanced circulation. An open, central multi-functional area now serves as a reception, study and meeting space, and a presentation/event venue. Vibrant colors and comfortable seating make the environment welcoming and fun, while a re-imagined corridor maximizes inviting spaces for gathering, relaxing, and learning.

We're taking a moment to place the spotlight on Gabrielle Boulanger. What drives Gabrielle is designing projects with a personalized and human-scale approach. Her background in architecture and experience as an interior designer shaped her as a resourceful and versatile designer. She specializes in optimizing various residential, corporate and industrial spaces. To her, the strength of a project lies in the translation of problems into creative vectors. As an Architectural Designer, Gabrielle is a wonderful collaborator on our team!

Tune in to our first Design for an Agile World duocast, where Joe Walker sits down with Iris Meeker LEED AP, WELL AP and Dustin Stephany to discuss the University of Florida Student Healthcare Center. Discover how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the approach to interior design, prioritizing student health and well-being. Don’t miss their insights on the transformative impact of WELL Platinum certification in enhancing spaces for both students and staff. https://lnkd.in/ezbd-Krd

Congratulations to the University of Florida for making history with its new Student Health Care Center, the first higher education building in the nation to achieve Platinum level certification from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). We at at Walker Architects, in partnership with CannonDesign, are proud to have designed this project, a new benchmark for the University of Florida. The UF Student Healthcare Center not only prioritizes student health and well-being, but also marks the 100th sustainably certified building in UF's history. Discover how our innovative design embodies the principles of WELL Certification and UF's ongoing commitment to sustainable practices: https://lnkd.in/emEgFTmr

Yesterday, we celebrated the official announcement of the University of Florida Student Healthcare Center, now the first higher education building in the US to earn WELL Platinum certification! WELL Platinum marks the highest ranking offered through the globally-recognized healthy building program. We are so proud to have led the design team for this healthy, sustainable environment for students. We would like to thank UF SHCC and UF Planning, Design and Construction for their commitment to this achievement, as well as CannonDesign for delivering this project successfully. Congratulations to everyone involved in this major feat! Check out the article from CannonDesign to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eq8Z5WJP Scorpio. Affiliated Engineers, Inc. CHW, an NV5 company

Explore 'The Solve' by Walker Architects - a monthly insight on tackling today's design challenges with people-first solutions. Discover our 26 Guiding Fundamentals that shape every decision we make, ensuring optimal solutions for every design challenge. Don't miss out as we explore insights and stories in future issues. https://lnkd.in/etVXFRWm

We'd like to take a moment to feature Andrew Mesa. Andrew's passion lies in the details and how they come together to create impactful designs. Before joining our Atlanta team, he worked on all stages of a project from schematic design to construction documents for religious and housing projects in the southeast. You will find him biking around or taking photos when he's not at work. We're happy to have him on our team!

Yesterday marked the groundbreaking event for the Elese Tomlin Empowerment Center! This project, led by Anointed Community Services Inc. under Pastor Linda Cowels, aims to uplift single women with children, homeless veterans, seniors, and members of the Groveland, FL community. Our design embraces the rich history of the community, ensuring a functional and welcoming space. A big thank you to ScorpioCo, Gmuer Engineering, GSE Engineering and Consulting, Inc., Mitchell Gulledge Engineering, and Miller Engineering LLC for their collaboration in making this vision a reality!

See below if you know someone who might be interested in a great opportunity with UF.