Wannemacher Jensen Architects

The Philadelphia Phillies are in the World Series for the 8th time since 1915. Tonight, they take on the Houston Astros in the 4th game of the series. In the Spring, the Phillies make their way down to BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, FL. WJA has been a partner with the Phillies since 2003 designing numerous projects around their Spring Training Facility. Good luck, Phillies!

Municipal & Public Safety Architecture | Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc.

On , we acknowledge and support those who take action when disaster strikes. We are proud to highlight WJA designed facilities that ensure crews are optimally positioned to serve the community at all times. Click the link below to view the WJA public safety portfolio https://www.wjarc.com/projects/municipal-public-safety-architecture/

Municipal & Public Safety Architecture | Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc. We Utilize Creative Solutions to Design Modern and Innovative Municipal Architecture & Public Safety Facilities that Evoke Pride in Community

Six Developments Selected as Winners of Urban Land Institute’s 2022 Global Awards for Excellence - ULI Americas

After winning the ULI Americas Award this past summer for our work on the St. Pete Pier, our project went on to compete on the global scale.

We are proud to announce that the St. Pete Pier project was one of six projects awarded the ULI Global Award for Excellence! This award recognizes superior development efforts in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors across the world. This award represents the highest standard of achievement and brings the Pier to an impressive 22x award-winning project.

Six Developments Selected as Winners of Urban Land Institute’s 2022 Global Awards for Excellence - ULI Americas

Wannemacher Jensen Architects has helped build St. Pete into the vibrant city it is today. Because of this, we're proud to announce our nomination for the annual Good 'Burger Award. A Good 'Burger is a business, organization, or individual in the greater St. Pete area making a positive impact on our community. We need your votes to take home this award in the "Growing Smarter Businesses (Small)" Category. If you've enjoyed some of our work around St. Pete, would you please take a moment to vote for us? Just click the link below. Voting ends on October 18th. Thanks in advance for your support!

https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/FARyAQ

*Only 1 vote will be counted per IP address.

This year, World Architecture Day is focused on Designing for Well-Being and Promoting Spaces for Everyone. Here are a few spaces designed by the WJA team that promote the health and wellness of the communities they serve while also building more resilient, sustainable, and healthy societies.

TIDAL Explains Climate Change + Sea-Level Rise Through Play

TIDAL is an interactive public art display created by the international award winning, multidisciplinary design studio The Urban Conga located at the entrance of Shore Acres Recreation Center, designed by WJA. This installation uses data points from NOAA to draw attention to the projected rise in sea levels for the surrounding community by the year 2100. This piece aims to educate and inspire conversations around climate change through open ended play.

TIDAL Explains Climate Change + Sea-Level Rise Through Play TIDAL is an interactive art installation by The Urban Conga that hopes to open up a dialogue about climate change issues through play.

Recently WJA gathered to celebrate our recent successes as a team and discuss our vision for the future. In addition to being an award winning practice, we pride ourselves in having a unique bond as a firm and a truly collaborative atmosphere. If you value thoughtful design and a fun, creative studio culture, we have good news: We’re hiring (in multiple locations)! Please check out our available job listings on Archinet:

https://archinect.com/firms/jobs/76142/wannemacher-jensen-architects

Did you know Eddie Hoffman, Jr., the Founding Principal of our Hoffman Studio in Tarpon Springs is a private pilot? He was recently featured in the March edition of EAA Sport Aviation magazine.

Eddie inherited his love for aviation from his late father, Ed, who designed and built five planes. In 1970, Ed had flown one of his original designs, named Sweetpotootie, to the first fly-in at Oshkosh. Recently, Eddie received a VIP invitation from EAA wanting the airplane his dad designed and built at AirVenture for the 50th anniversary reunion of the 1970 showplanes. This was very special to Eddie as he really wanted to fly the 60-year old Sweetpotootie to Oshkosh again as a memorial tribute to his father. “At first, I thought the mission was all about the airplane, but it ended up being more than that.” Eddie says in the article. In the mid-1970s, Eddie used Sweetpotootie as his commuter airplane to attend the University of Florida, and then to fly to his first architectural job in West Palm Beach. After completing the successful trip to Oshkosh for the reunion in 2019, he was given a front row spot. Eddie believes that Sweetpotootie may have been the only original one-off design that flew to Oshkosh. The reunion not only brought the old airplanes and friends together, it also gave Eddie pause for reflection upon his father’s achievements.

Ed organized EAA Chapter 47 in 1957, which is still active at Albert Whitted Airport. He founded the Florida Aviation Historical Society in 1977. In the 1980s, Ed (with the help of EAA friends) built a full-scale replica of the Benoist Model B Flying Boat which is on display in the St. Petersburg Museum of History. Ed was later involved in creating a flying replica of Ford’s 1928 Flivver, housed at the Florida Air Museum in Lakeland. In 2008, Ed received EAA Chapter 47’s Jack W. Tunstill Award for Exceptional Service to Aviation and was enshrined in the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame.

The WJA team made a splash celebrating the grand opening of the new state-of-the-art Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training (FAST) facility in Ocala, FL! This will be the premier swimming, training, and competition venue in the Southeastern United States for all ages and ability. The facility includes an indoor natatorium with 10-lane 50m/25yd competition pool, spectator seating to accommodate 2,000 guests, an outdoor 7-lane 50m/25yd/25m competition pool, and an indoor dryland fitness center. A FAST Fact is that the outdoor pool is the Myrtha Competition Pool used in the 2020 Olympic Trails.

Wannemacher Jensen and Harvard Jolly Architects are collaborating on a state-of-the-art middle school and YMCA project to serve the Shore Acres neighborhood and greater St. Petersburg community. “This school shows how public and private institutions can collaborate for a better education,” said Jason Jensen, President and CEO of Wannemacher Jensen. “By combining a YMCA and a middle school we are creating a health and wellness focused school with access to a full gymnasium, track, nutrition lab, a pool, and after school care. This is a progressive model for education that we hope sets precedent for future collaborations.” For more information on this project, visit this article by St. Pete Rising:

https://stpeterising.com/home/2022/1/13/new-middle-school-and-ymca-approved-for-62nd-avenue

As we near substantial completion of the new Shore Acres Recreation Center, The WJA team had the pleasure of hosting Mayor Rick Kriseman, Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin, Director of Parks and Recreation Mike Jeffries, and City Architect Raul Quintana for a tour around the new 22,000sf facility. We appreciate the city’s enthusiasm for this project and the positive feedback we’ve received thus far. Special thanks to for having us on site today and for bringing this design to life.

The Wannemacher Jensen team was on hand at the AIA Tampa Bay Celebrate Design event to receive Merit Awards for 4 recent projects: ArtCenter Manatee, Pier Market, North Tampa Christian Academy, and Martinez House. Our gratitude extends to the owners who make these projects a reality and to the many team members who collaborate with us to create cohesive, innovative design. Thank you to AIA Tampa Bay for hosting such an inspiring evening for all our friends and colleagues.

Wishing everyone a happy, spooky Halloween weekend!

Wannemacher Jensen Architects office - Tampa Bay Business Journal

The new WJA/WJC headquarters is featured in this month’s Tampa Bay Business Journal’s “Workspaces Reimagined.” Designed by WJA and built by WJC, the six floor mixed-use facility contains three levels of office space and five residential condos overlooking Downtown Mirror Lake. The WJA/WJC office maintains a collaborative environment in the age of social distancing and workplace flexibility. Check out the Tampa Bay Business journal article for more information and a photo tour of our new workplace.

https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2021/08/27/wannemacher-jensen-architects-inc.html

Wannemacher Jensen Architects office - Tampa Bay Business Journal Wannemacher Jensen took that opportunity to reflect its dedication to progressive design, community building and sustainability with its own office.

Designed by WJA and built by WJC, this 22,000 sf “Mindful Fitness” facility includes 3 large fitness studios, a yoga room, locker rooms, juice bar, out-door recovery deck, co-work office space and a day-care facility. The existing warehouse was transformed to feel like a cozy fitness home while maintaining its industrial charm.

Ed, Sarah, Todd, and Jason are out representing the firm at FEFPA 2021. FEFPA (Florida Educational Facilities Planners' Association) Conferences bring together the best and brightest minds in the field of Educational Facility Planning- promoting collaboration and discussion between educators, planners, architects, engineers, and product vendors.

Renderings from a recent competition in Bal Harbour, Florida. The program included a new Village Hall, Police Department, and Council Chambers for Bal Harbour Village. Visitors enter through a grand stair at ground level to a public plaza on the first floor, with separate entrances for the Village Hall and Police program elements. Council Chambers float above the plaza as the architectural “jewel” of the design. The third floor includes a multi-purpose room that fully opens onto a large terrace with water views, shaded by the open roof structure above. At the upper level, the green roof features a deck and shade canopy with the potential of hosting large events. Special thanks to our partner Wolfberg Alvarez & Partners and Calvin, Giordano & Associates.

Drone Footage of the new Shore Acres Recreation Center: Designed by WJA, built by Creative Contractors, made possible by the city of St. Petersburg. One of St. Pete’s most family-focused neighborhoods, the Shore Acres community will receive a new 20,000sf Recreation center, including a 6 lane competitive pool, playground, gym, and day-camp facilities. The city looks forward to occupancy in December 2021.

WJA Architect and Project Manager Lindsay Evans was interviewed by channel 8 news for the “Celebrating Female Architects” segment during Tampa Bay Design Week. You can check out the full segment by clicking the link below. Great job Lindsay!

https://www.wfla.com/news/around-town/tampa-bay-design-week-explores-architecture-and-design/

Thank you to our new Project Architect, Israel Sanchez for introducing himself to our team and sharing some insight on what he likes to do in his free time (working on competitions!) Previously a designer at Cannon Design in New York City, his work mainly focused on the higher education market. We look forward to seeing Israel grow as part of the WJA team. Welcome, Israel!

We’re excited to announce the merger of two of Pinellas Counties most respected Architecture Firms: Wannemacher Jensen Architects Inc. and Hoffman Architects Inc. Both firms entered the merger in a position of strength, thanks to quality work completed over the years. Ed Hoffman, Todd Willsie, and Jason Jensen have been long time friends and collaborators. This move expands both firm’s capabilities and client reach making both firms stronger and more competitive across a wider range of projects. WJA brings significant manpower, technology, and experience across a diverse mix of project types throughout Florida. Hoffman brings a long-standing relationship and invaluable experience working with public school systems and various local clients throughout Pasco, Hernando, and northern Pinellas County. The merger has been covered by Tampa Bay News, the Tampa Bay Business Journal, and St. Pete Catalyst, among others. You can find links to these articles on our website.

https://wjarc.com/wannemacher-jensen-and-hoffman-architects-merge/

Client Spotlight WJ Architecs

President Jason Jensen talks us through some of the firm’s most impactful projects, and discusses our role as architects in the greater Florida community. Thank you to Network People for producing this video, and providing us with the technology we need to provide our clients with high-quality, collaborative design in today’s fast-paced project environment.

https://youtu.be/NoccrYOKCG8

Client Spotlight WJ Architecs

Did you know only 17% of registered architects in the US are women? Women hold 56% of the licenses at our firm 👏 Happy International Women’s day!

St. Pete completes $1 million pledge to Woodson African American Museum

Last week, St. Petersburg City Council members unanimously pledged one million dollars to the Woodson African American Museum, designed by WJA and Huff + Gooden Architects. The pledge will fund a new facility that celebrates the history, art, and culture of the City’s African American neighborhoods. You can read more about this project, and the Woodson’s mission, by clicking the link below.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2021/02/05/st-pete-completes-1-million-pledge-to-woodson-african-american-museum/

St. Pete completes $1 million pledge to Woodson African American Museum The funding will go toward a new facility celebrating the history, art and culture of the city’s African American neighborhoods.

Florida/Caribbean Architect Winter 2021 Page 19

We’re excited to announce that the Center for Health Equity designed by WJA, built by WJC, is featured in this month’s edition of Florida/Caribbean Architect Magazine. You can find the article on page 19, link below:

https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=689836&ver=html5&p=19

Florida/Caribbean Architect Winter 2021 Page 19

Everyone wants to visit the new WJA / WJC offices. When are you stopping by?

Catalyze 2021: Jason Jensen of Wannemacher Jensen Architects

WJA President Jason Jensen was featured on stpetecatalyst.com with an inspiring message for 2021. “This past year was a divisive and isolating year but it also illustrated that we are truly stronger together if we engage each other and promote each other, look for opportunities to lift up each other. I think St. Pete embodies that action. We didn’t just get caught up in the national narrative but we looked for opportunities to help each other locally and to move forward in the St. Pete way.” On behalf of Wannemacher Jensen Architects we wish you health, happiness, and prosperity in the new year! You can read the full article by clicking the link below.

https://stpetecatalyst.com/catalyze-2021-jason-jensen-of-wannemacher-jensen-architects/

Catalyze 2021: Jason Jensen of Wannemacher Jensen Architects We’re asking thought leaders, business people and creatives to talk about 2021, and give us catalyzing ideas for making St. Pete a better place to live in what will surely be a changed – and charged – post-Covid world. What should our city look like? What are their hopes, their plans, their pr...

With the help of amazing clients, dependable team-members, and great leadership, the WJA team made it through 2020 and completed one of the busiest years on record. With every success comes an opportunity for gratitude and a chance to pay it forward. This year we chose to donate our energy and resources to Perkins Elementary School by providing them with a newly renovated faculty lounge. In a true team effort - we were able to secure generous donations from The CI Group (furniture), The Blind and Shutter Gallery (window shading), J+J Flooring (carpeting), and Emilie Verbinnen (art and cabinetry). Thank you to everyone involved in making this a successful project and special thanks to Principal, Jason Jensen, and Interior Designer, Jovanka Somarriba, who secured the donations and coordinated installation and design.

The lounge renovation was planned before COVID but the update was perfectly timed as the new furniture can be configured to promote distancing now and be changed in the future. We hope to expand the renovations in the new year with an outdoor eating space and new appliances. WJA is looking forward to what excitement 2021 has in store and wish all our friends and colleagues a happy holiday season.

WJA would like to thank Randy Van Duinen, an internationally award-winning architectural photographer, for presenting to our firm last week. His work has found homes in museum collections across the country. Randy has photographed several of WJA’s projects including some of our favorites below. You can learn more about him and his incredible work at rvdphotography.com.

Jason Jensen, Sarah Lyons, and Jamison Sweat joined the Circle Square foundation to celebrate the groundbreaking of FAST ( Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training) in Ocala, Florida on Tuesday October 27th. Designed and detailed by WJA, The facility will provide a variety of swimming and fitness programs for both recreation and competition. Also in attendance was Olympic Swim Coach Gregg Troy who addressed the attendees stating, “I really believe FAST will be one of the five best swimming facilities in the country.” The facility will feature a 10-lane 50 meter competition pool, an outdoor 8-lane 50 meter pool, and a splash pad. FAST is expected to open in late 2021. To read more about FAST, please visit https://swimswam.com/circle-square-foundation-breaks-ground-for-florida-aquatics-swimming-training/.

Jason Jensen and Lindsay Evans were in attendance for the October 23rd groundbreaking celebration of the Ina A. Colen Academy: a multi-phase, public charter school designed by WJA in partnership with The Colen Family Charitable Trust. The tuition-free school aims to “cultivate passionate learners with sharp minds and kind hearts,” and places an emphasis on collaboration and empathy for others. This emphasis is inherent in the architecture, with individual learning studios that open onto a variety of communal learning common areas, encouraging students to breakout and work as teams in all areas of their education. IACA is scheduled to open August of 2022. To read more about this project, please visit https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ina-a-colen-academy-public-charter-school-breaks-ground-301160964.html @ Ocala, Florida

Wannemacher Jensen Architects has helped build St. Pete into the vibrant city it is today. Because of this, we're proud to announce our nomination for the annual Good 'Burger Award. A Good 'Burger is a business, organization, or individual in the greater St. Pete area making a positive impact on our community. We need your votes to take home this award in the "Makers & Creators" Category. If you've enjoyed some of our work around St. Pete, would you please take a moment to vote for us? Just click the link below. Thanks in advance for your support!

stpete.com/Good-Burger

@ Saint Petersburg, Florida

Our new headquarters, expected to open at the start of the New Year, will be the first new office building constructed in Downtown St. Pete in 15 years! Located on Mirror Lake, the new mixed-use building will include two floors of rentable space ideal for medical, dental, law, tech, or other professional firms, a floor dedicated to the WJA/WJC HQ, and residential condominiums on the top three floors.

To read more on this project, visit http://ow.ly/ZLLK50BOKfy

Progress photos from the new Wesley Chapel District Park Recreation Center located in Pasco County. This project, designed by WJA and currently being built by Keator Construction, is part of a multi-phase project. The 17,800sf facility contains a full-court gym, office, two multi-purpose community spaces, and an outdoor hockey rink sponsored by the Stanley Cup Champion Lightning. @ Wesley Chapel District Park

In honor of 9-11 we offer our sincere thanks to our first responders and give the highest tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. President of WJA, Jason Jensen, had the honor to work on the Randall’s Island FDNY training facility directly after 9-11. This experience shaped our firms respect and dedication to serving first responders. Click the YouTube link below for a behind-the-scenes tour of the FDNY training facility. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9eCKbZhh1A @ Randalls Island

“Do the things in life that make you happy, love the person who makes you laugh, and practice architecture in a way that makes you proud.” Inspiration from Lisa Wannemacher, founding principal of WJA, who is highlighted as this month’s AIA Tampa Bay August Spotlight. Lisa serves as a role model for many young professionals in our field and we are proud to carry her legacy in our day-to-day work.

Click the link below to read Lisa’s full interview with AIA Tampa Bay:

https://tinyurl.com/yxtnlxxg