WBA Architecture

In case you missed last week’s news, Hyatt Hotels is set to debut in Mississippi with the planned Okhissa Lake Lodge in Franklin County! We have throughly enjoyed being a part of the team getting to bring Wade Creekmore’s dream to life as it has grown to become a one-of-kind resort that will attract visitors from all over. Head to our website to read more about the project set to open in 2027, including Hyatt’s official announcement! https://lnkd.in/gATx5jKd

We are excited to join Hellas as Title Sponsors of the MAAA Conference again this year!

We are thrilled with how the Sanderson Center renovations turned out at MSU. Originally opened in 1998 when student enrollment was significantly lower, this facility was in need of expanded space and enhancements to better serve its growing student population in fitness and wellness. The renovations included repurposing racquetball courts into a large open fitness space with new equipment, new flooring and wall surfaces throughout the main corridors, updated branding, lockers, and - our personal favorite - a new bouldering cave. MSU students really drove this project and we are excited they have a space they are proud to use!

We had the privilege of touring architecture students from the Assemblages Class at Mississippi State University around one of our active projects that’s right outside their door - the new Azalea Hall. They got to look closely at the residence hall’s building envelope and see how intricately everything comes together. It was exciting to hear their questions and fascination with the process and its execution. It’s never lost on us how rewarding it is to work on the campus so many of us graduated from and we love getting to share that with current students.

Kicking it all the way back to the beginning ???? In 2009, amid a major recession, Jamie Wier and Michael Boerner took a risk and officially opened Wier Boerner Architecture. They worked out of their houses for a year before moving into a small office space in Fondren and hiring a few integral staff members who are still part of the team today! With the added partnership of former MSU classmate, Jack Allin, the firm changed its name to Wier Boerner Allin Architecture. In 15 years, WBA has grown to a staff of over 40 with an office still in Fondren and a second in Nashville, TN. We have gotten to work on incredible projects and form incredible relationships that we’ll cherish forever - and it’s all thanks to the hard work that began in 2009 and hasn’t let up since.

It’s a beaut, Clark! Our talented team of designers + consultants finished up this addition/renovation of the Chi Omega house at LSU and we can’t take our eyes off it! The house now includes a new courtyard that reflects traditional Southern Louisianan style and the facade has been restored to its original, iconic A. Hays Town design. We renovated all existing interior spaces, expanded dining and chapter meeting rooms, added new study and social spaces, as well as new bedrooms and a suite for the house director. We are excited to add the Chi Omega house to our growing Greek portfolio! #geauxtigers

WBA is glad to be in attendance at the ACUHO-I conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this week! Congratulations to the Mackey Mitchell Architects team and Dei Allard, Mississippi State University’s Executive Director for the Department of Housing & Residence Life on a fantastic program discussing the new Azalea Residence Hall on campus. Azalea Hall will add 400 single rooms to Mississippi State’s housing inventory. A Hall full of singles challenges the norm in student housing, yet Mississippi State recognized the need and has embraced the opportunity to respond to student needs in this space. Follow along as we continue construction on this exciting project. Azalea Hall will open for the fall semester of 2025!

We are proud to have been a bus sponsor for SMPS Nashville's Music City in Motion tour last week! The speakers shared their insight on future transit development downtown and on the east bank (and even in the river Pontoon Saloon!). Great things to come in Nashville. Thank you Amy (Selvaggio) Daniels, AIA, LEED AP BDC for leading the SMPS Programs Team and facilitating a great event!

Everyone meet Maddox! He’s been with WBA for a little while now, but deserves a proper introduction! Maddox’s path to architecture was a bit serendipitous - he pursued the field on a whim because of its adjacency to visual arts and has never looked back. He’s inspired by anything beautiful, loves hand drafted drawings, and always sets out to discover the hidden character of buildings. We love having Maddox on the team and are constantly impressed by his work!

Originally built in 1907, the Melton Hardware Company Building established itself as a landmark in the Meridian Downtown Historic District. In 2019, Castle teamed up with WBA to fully restore this building as their new headquarters. Historical renovations are a unique challenge and privilege to design. It’s a delicate balance to reimagine a building for modern use while maintaining its original charm and legacy, and we are always grateful for the opportunity to do so. Castle’s investment helped move the needle for Downtown Meridian and we sure are proud to have been a part of it!