Nequette Office, The Thomas Building

Birmingham, Alabama

When we moved into our temporary space on 2^ndAvenue North several years ago, it was just that: temporary, but once we saw what the city had to offer both architecturally and culturally, we could not resist staying.

Our team wanted to be invested in the downtown community and be witnesses to the new businesses and revitalization in the downtown area. Being downtown has allowed us to become an integral part of the Birmingham community, which reflects our larger commitment to practicing what we preach about the values of urbanism.

In renovating a downtown building to house our studio, we were both the clients and the designers. When we saw the incredible views from the roof, slightly higher than the other buildings nearby, we could not help but add on a fourth floor for our new office space. In the design process, we found ways to make the old new again as we re-purposed the old ceilings into hardwood floors, refinished old-growth joists for our desks, and the steel from the existing freight elevator was converted into stair railing. Watching the project grow and evolve from day to day and knowing we have played a role in Birmingham’s revival has been incredibly fulfilling.