Nearing its completion, the Woodrow Wilson Library in Falls Church Virginia, designed by Bowie Gridley Architects, has been recognized by the County of Fairfax Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Award of Excellence for Building Design and Construction.  BGA is also recognized for its outstanding customer service provided to Fairfax County throughout the planning, design and construction of the project. James Patterson, Director, says of the project: “The library successfully integrates the renovation of the existing facility with the new additions creating a cohesive exciting design. The creative space planning, light filled library and quality of the interior detailing enhances the patrons’ experience while meeting the current and future needs of the library and the community it serves”.

Library Director Edwin S. Clay III says “the renovated Woodrow Wilson Library will be worth the wait as it enhances the many and varied needs of our users for information, recreation and meeting space”.  The newly renovated library when completed in January will include multiple meeting rooms, modernized facilities and 24 public computers, and a sizable children’s area, while retaining its 50,000 item collection.

Bowie Gridley Architects is pleased to announce the groundbreaking for the renovation and addition to the Piedmont Environmental Council’s Headquarters in historic downtown Warrenton, Virginia.

The 5,279 sf addition will accommodate the Warrenton staff in one location for the first time in five years, allowing for a more efficient team and the ability to host meetings and workshops at their headquarters. The addition honors the historical integrity of the building, originally built as a farmhouse in 1784. The reuse of an existing structure, a high performance building envelope, a geothermal heating system, native plantings and a rain garden are a few of the many sustainable design elements included in the design reflecting the values of the Piedmont Environmental Council.

The Frank W. Ballou Senior High School replacement facility, in Ward 8, was commemorated at an official Ribbon Cutting ceremony December 17. Designed by  Bowie Gridley Architects | Perkins + Will Joint Venture, the new 365,000 sf facility replaces the original 1950’s building and takes advantage of the steeply sloping site on the Congress Heights campus. The new Ballou High School is rich with classrooms, including science and bio-tech labs, one of the largest assembly spaces in SE Washington DC, a greenhouse, an athletic wing with competition basketball gym, practice gym, fitness facilities, an eight-lane competition swimming pool, and a state-of-the-art auto-tech lab complete with lifts and paint booth. It also incorporates earth-friendly concepts; rain gardens, sun screens, low volatile organic compounds and recycled materials used in construction, daylight harvesting and photovoltaic panels. The second phase of the project will be the completion of the new football stadium and auxiliary field for multiple sports and outdoor band practice space.

Flyer for Ballou Ribbon Cutting

Bowie Gridley Architects has been recognized with another sweet award. On December 2, Bowie Gridley Architects participated in Gingertown, an annual charity event which raises money for several local and national organizations.  For the second year in row, BGA was awarded Best Overall Quality Design. The winning design was the Wonky Wonka Warehouse constructed with psychedelic colored laffy taffy.

Gingertown, founded in 2006, brings together architects, engineers and contractors from across DC to design a miniature town made entirely of gingerbread and other sweets. The candy covered structures are on display for public viewing and are later donated to local community organizations to make the holidays a little sweeter.