Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN
26/06/2023.
[Charlottesville - Virginia] USA
Metalocus, ELENA DE LA FUENTE
Metalocus, ELENA DE LA FUENTE
The architecture studios EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN have collaborated to design a centre for entrepreneurship and development. One of the main objectives is the projection of an optimal building in order to motivate entrepreneurship in local businesses. The centre, baptized with the name CODE, is located in the centre of Charlottesville, in the state of Virginia, United States.
The building includes a combination of spaces intended mainly for the development of economic activity, in the centre we find coworking spaces, offices and retail.
The building includes a combination of spaces intended mainly for the development of economic activity, in the centre we find coworking spaces, offices and retail.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
First floor plan. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Second floor plan. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Third floor plan. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Fourth floor plan. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Fifth floor plan. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Sixth floor plan. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Seventh floor plan. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Eighth floor plan. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Ninth floor plan. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Precedent diagrams. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Diagrams. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Diagram circulation. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Diagram roof plan. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Diagram program. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Gallery scheme. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Courtyard scheme. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Plaza scheme. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
Mall diagram. Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN.
EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN create a perfect hybrid between an office and a coworking space to find the best option between formal and informal in a work environment. The elements that adorn the interior of the center have been carefully studied to create a warm and welcoming space for all the workers in the building.
The center is made up of nine floors that include a perfect combination between coworking, office spaces, and rest space, and also has a retail area.
The project has received a 2023 AIA National Honor Award for Architecture and is now LEED Platinum certified. The center opts for a highly sustainable design, the building achieves an impressive 26 EUI improving the benchmark energy use rate of 73%.
The center is made up of nine floors that include a perfect combination between coworking, office spaces, and rest space, and also has a retail area.
The project has received a 2023 AIA National Honor Award for Architecture and is now LEED Platinum certified. The center opts for a highly sustainable design, the building achieves an impressive 26 EUI improving the benchmark energy use rate of 73%.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Project description by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN
The Center of Developing Entrepreneurs (CODE) is a new sustainable, mixed-use project in downtown Charlottesville, comprised of a new public plaza and 215,000 square feet of multi-use space, including a strategic combination of co-working, office space, shared amenities, and retail.
The investor behind the development, a University of Virginia (UVA) graduate, wanted to give back to the community by providing a place where locally grown innovations in information technology, clean energy, and allied fields, could blossom into locally based businesses, rather than seeing those ideas and human talent relocate outside of the region. Building the project on the mall would reinforce a commitment to walkability but posed the tricky challenge of integrating a project of the requisite size with the small scale of the mall. In response, the design team introduced a novel solution: stair-stepping the massing up from the mall towards the intersection of Main and Water Streets, then spiraling up further to meet the scale of Water Street, with a cascade of occupiable terraces and green roofs.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
While exploring building massing options, simulations were performed, not just for their impact on energy consumption, but also for the impact of shadows cast upon existing trees. On the ground floor, the brick is lifted, and replaced by a glazed first story, exposing a unique public space intended to enliven the street and promote connectivity. This interior plaza also serves to extend the conclusion of the main thoroughfare, Main Street, with a direct connection to adjacent Water Street, facilitating access between the adjoining areas and allowing further retail space to be integrated into the surrounding pedestrian mall.
Based on the results of peer-reviewed research demonstrating improved learning and decision-making performance for knowledge workers when ambient air has lower levels of carbon dioxide and other contaminants, a palette of low-emissions materials was employed, and the building ventilation system provides more than twice the standard flow of fresh air—but does this in ways that still achieve energy use that is 1/3 that of the benchmark office building. Design choices were also informed by ongoing assessment of the carbon emissions associated with the materials used for construction, helping the team lower the carbon footprint of the project even before the building opens. A full 32% of the site (including portions of the building), is covered by native plants. Energy use intensity is calculated at an impressive 25.86%, a 73% reduction from the benchmark for a building of this type.
The building envelope draws from the brick cladding and punched window openings of its historic context but is implemented with a modern rain screen to achieve high levels of insulation and thermal comfort while providing defense in depth against water intrusion.
Center for Developing Entrepreneurs by EskewDumezRipple and WOLF ACKERMAN. Photograph by Alan Karchmer.
Coworking continues to experience rapid development and evolution. The design team researched other spaces extensively, visiting various coworking facilities in achieving the perfect blend of office and coworking space. Throughout, the design team worked with a client representative in pursuing a vision to uphold the changing nature of work, straddling a line between the formal and informal, and instilling a unique blend of clean commercial space with a more relaxed residential feel. All interior elements, from furniture and textiles to fixtures and artwork, were handpicked by the team to foster a warm and welcoming environment.
CODE is designed to be a LEED Platinum-certified building, employing systems and technologies beyond LEED standards that will increase fresh air exchange and provide fine-tuned environmental controls to support natural ventilation and generous daylighting.
More information
Architects
Project team
EskewDumezRipple.- José Alvarez, Noah Marble, Steve Dumez, Z Smith, Tyler Guidroz, Jill Traylor, Max Katz, Shannon Griffin, Tom Gibbons, Alex Swiggum, Kelsey Wotila.
WOLF ACKERMAN.- Fred Wolf, Dave Ackerman, Mark Merolla, Joey Laughlin.
WOLF ACKERMAN.- Fred Wolf, Dave Ackerman, Mark Merolla, Joey Laughlin.
Collaborators
Associate architect and interior design.- EskewDumezRipple.
Architect of record.- WOLF ACKERMAN.
Structural.- Fox & Associates.
Civil.- Timmons Group.
M/e/p.- 2RW.
Landscape.- Gregg Bleam Landscape Architect.
Lighting.- designDKT.
Sustainability.- STRUCTR Advisors.
Energy modeling.- Thorton Tomasetti.
Commissioning.- MSTB.
Architect of record.- WOLF ACKERMAN.
Structural.- Fox & Associates.
Civil.- Timmons Group.
M/e/p.- 2RW.
Landscape.- Gregg Bleam Landscape Architect.
Lighting.- designDKT.
Sustainability.- STRUCTR Advisors.
Energy modeling.- Thorton Tomasetti.
Commissioning.- MSTB.
Client
CSH Development.
General contractor
Hourigan.
Area
19.974 m².
Dates
March 2022.
Location
240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, United States.
Manufacturers
Glazing.- Guardian.
Doors.- CR Laurance; Kawneer.
Ceilings.- Arktura; Hunter Douglas.
Carpet.- Bentley.
Lighting.- MP Lighting; Lumenpuls.
Doors.- CR Laurance; Kawneer.
Ceilings.- Arktura; Hunter Douglas.
Carpet.- Bentley.
Lighting.- MP Lighting; Lumenpuls.
Photography
Allen Eskew, Steve Dumez, Mark Ripple. Eskew+Dumez+Ripple
Eskew+Dumez+Ripple traces its beginnings to 1986 when Allen Eskew—a founding partner who died in 2014—launched Eskew, Vogt, Salvato & Filson. The firm evolved into Eskew+Dumez+Ripple under founding partners Eskew, Steve Dumez, FAIA, and Mark Ripple, AIA. Established in 1989, EskewDumezRipple has transformed from a local firm doing nationally recognized work to a national firm that has retained its local roots. The resulting diverse body of work—from small, intimate interiors to large urban planning projects—reflects the firm’s broad focus on civic life regardless of scale, budget, scope, or complexity.
Eskew+Dumez+Ripple is widely recognized for award-winning, innovative architecture and planning projects, grounded by a strong understanding of context and culture, which resonate far beyond the Southeast region. Housed in an open studio offering expansive views of the Mississippi River and the historic Vieux Carré, their New Orleans-based multi-disciplinary practice comprises 50 professionals who offer clients a deep commitment to every project they touch. Their firm size and management protocols are structured to provide hands-on principal involvement in every commission they undertake from conception to completion.
Their firm also recognizes that creating better communities requires more than simply designing good buildings. As architects committed to the civic realm and a sustainable future, they commit their time to numerous initiatives that advocate for quality in the design of their built environment, including teaching, research, speaking engagements, and public advocacy.
Dave Ackerman, Fred Wolf. WOLF ACKERMAN
WOLF ACKERMAN is an architectural firm founded by architects Dave Ackerman and Fred Wolf, based in Charlottesville, Virginia. We design commercial, institutional, and residential projects of all shapes and sizes providing clients throughout Virginia and beyond with complete planning, architectural, and interior design services.
The firm focuses on innovative and modern design led by its two founding partners – Fred Wolf and Dave Ackerman – who together share over 65 years of professional experience working on a wide variety of projects that have ranged from residential additions and renovations to commercial offices and mixed-use / multi-family developments to large-scale, high-rise commercial construction.
Each partner received their professional degrees from the University of Virginia School of Architecture where they have also taught studios as adjunct faculty. We have worked locally over the years with a number of non-profits in support of our community such as Lighthouse Studio, 2nd Street Gallery, New City Arts, Building Goodness Foundation and Live Arts Theater.
Established in 2002, WOLF ACKERMAN has built a reputation for creativity and design excellence receiving numerous awards and recognition for the quality of our work and the contributions our projects make to our community. Our practice is distinguished by our ability to listen carefully to our clients, to work effectively with them in support of their goals, and to assure their projects are executed successfully during construction. In that spirit, we develop design solutions that are creative in their accommodation of program, sensitive in their response to the site, expressive of their materiality and how the building is assembled and respectful of sustainable design and construction considerations.
The firm focuses on innovative and modern design led by its two founding partners – Fred Wolf and Dave Ackerman – who together share over 65 years of professional experience working on a wide variety of projects that have ranged from residential additions and renovations to commercial offices and mixed-use / multi-family developments to large-scale, high-rise commercial construction.
Each partner received their professional degrees from the University of Virginia School of Architecture where they have also taught studios as adjunct faculty. We have worked locally over the years with a number of non-profits in support of our community such as Lighthouse Studio, 2nd Street Gallery, New City Arts, Building Goodness Foundation and Live Arts Theater.
Established in 2002, WOLF ACKERMAN has built a reputation for creativity and design excellence receiving numerous awards and recognition for the quality of our work and the contributions our projects make to our community. Our practice is distinguished by our ability to listen carefully to our clients, to work effectively with them in support of their goals, and to assure their projects are executed successfully during construction. In that spirit, we develop design solutions that are creative in their accommodation of program, sensitive in their response to the site, expressive of their materiality and how the building is assembled and respectful of sustainable design and construction considerations.
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