David Baker Architects has successfully converted a historic 1900s masonry building into a modern office space for Wyatt Builds construction company in Birmingham, Alabama. The 5,530-square-foot renovation project, completed in 2024, utilized pine wood, polycarbonate panels, and steel elements to create an airy and functional workspace that preserves the building's original character while meeting contemporary business needs.
The project was commissioned by Mary Wyatt, who took over the construction company following her husband's death. According to David Baker Architects, the resulting design embodies the client's "strength and resilience balanced with a personal touch." The renovation occupied a half-acre plot and serves as a headquarters for the construction company, which also acted as the general contractor for the project.
Amanda Loper, principal of David Baker Architects, which maintains offices in both California and Alabama, explained their approach: "As an office, we always start with two driving questions: Can we use what is here? Can we do more with less?" The studio employed LiDAR scanning techniques to capture the existing conditions of the single-story building and convert its hidden characteristics into a digital model.
The renovation process involved selective demolition to understand the built conditions while preserving as much of the building's original character as possible. The team opened up existing windows and removed opaque film to provide "eyes on the street," replaced the front door and awning, repainted the brick facade, and added new lighting and hand-painted signage. These "small but mighty" touches revitalized the space, which now includes a new vine-filled courtyard, updated landscaping, and an accessible pathway.
Upon entering the building, visitors are welcomed into a new entry gallery featuring soft seating, an open kitchen, and gallery spaces. The centerpiece of the entry is a custom steel stair and catwalk that leads to offices and coworking spaces on an upper mezzanine level. Working with the existing building trusses to guide the floor plan, the studio organized a large open area between two rows of offices, known as the Commons, which serves as a collaborative space with custom millwork and a large work surface.
The renovation celebrated the existing materials that formed the foundation of the design palette. After sandblasting the brick walls and cleaning the existing structural terracotta block and concrete slab, the studio "uncovered the warm tone of the brick and discovered some moments of terracotta tile on the floor." These terracotta details were preserved wherever possible, maintaining the building's historic character.
New pine-wood structures connect with the painted wood of the preexisting structure to effectively divide the space. "The existing materials are warm, textured and heavy," the studio noted. "We unified the varying ceiling and steel structural components with warm white paint to reflect light around the space." The wood framing and millwork add warmth to the interior, while polycarbonate panels provide muted privacy and diffused lighting within individual offices.
Sustainability played a crucial role in the project's design philosophy. New skylights bring natural light into the space, reducing the need for overhead artificial lighting. The translucent polycarbonate cladding effectively diffuses light throughout the offices, creating a pleasant working environment while maintaining energy efficiency.
"We were able to see the potential and future life of a structure that already existed and transform it into the functional space it is now, mitigating the use of additional resources that would otherwise have been required to build a new structure," Loper explained. This approach aligns with sustainable design principles and demonstrates how adaptive reuse can breathe new life into historic buildings while reducing environmental impact.
David Baker Architects has previously completed notable projects in San Francisco, including a modular complex for formerly homeless residents clad in folded metal perforated panels, and market-rate micro-units featuring black tile cladding. The Wyatt Builds project represents the firm's continued commitment to thoughtful renovation and sustainable design practices. Photography for the project was provided by Chris Luker, documenting the successful transformation of this early 20th-century building into a contemporary workspace.
