A fresh look along a tired street brings new life to Midtown Birmingham

view along 14th at viaduct

14th Street Streetscape Improvements

City of Birmingham, Alabama

How do you bring new life to a tired district?  The City of Birmingham chose to start with a street.  They chose the most heavily traveled street in Midtown Birmingham.  They chose 14th Street, a primary connection between their bustling Downtown District and the thriving University of Alabama Birmingham Campus and Medical District.  Maybe a fresh look, new walks, and bike lanes along the street would help to bring hope, inspiration, and private investment to Midtown.   

They found transportation funds, came up with matching funds, and went to work.  They retained KPS to lead the design effort.  They had $1.2 million dollars, and sixteen blocks to cover.  The plan would have to be very strategic.  It needed to make a visual impact. 

Today, 14th Street boasts a continuous green tree canopy that links Downtown, through Midtown and on to the Campus at UAB.  There are new walks, fresh plantings, and bike lanes.  And there are people walking, people cycling, and lots of new projects underway. 

Since the completion of the 14th Street Improvements, the City unveiled the Nationally recognized Railroad Park, and is currently developing the new Birmingham Barons Baseball Stadium on 14th Street.  The street also features an expansive new campus for the Social Security Administration, new student housing developments, a brewery, and soon, there will be a new US Treasury Building.  The University of Alabama at Birmingham is reaching back and continuing the partnership.  The University has bold new plans to extend their campus toward Midtown, along 14th and 15th Street. 

The City's investment included new street trees, walks, brick pavers, lawns, shrubs, lighting, storm water inlets, curb and gutter, and new street furnishings along the sixteen block corridor.  The City also provided asphalt resurfacing, and striping for bike facilities.  

A streetscape alone cannot make a district.  It is only a part of a much larger picture.  But it demonstrates commitment and investment.  It is a link, and it is tangible.  It brings hope, life and vitality both in its look and feel, and it was delightful and refreshing for those who had been waiting in the wings to walk, cycle, work, live, and play on 14th Street.  

Capital Strategies - An Interior Design Project

Capital Strategies’ new 8,320-square-foot office was designed to create a sophisticated, modern workplace uniquely suited to the firm’s elite client base and professional staff. The office has a predominately neutral scheme which was embellished by the wooded landscape viewed through expansive sections of glass throughout the space. Finishes were clean and coordinated such as glass, dark stained mahogany panels, painted doors and mouldings which combined with stylish transitional furnishings. The highly functional yet smart contemporary design was achieved through detailed coordination within a tight timeframe.

Capital Strategies

When Capital Strategies decided to relocate their offices into a new Class-A building, it gave them the opportunity to consolidate square footage as well as update their image. Their new 8,320-square-foot office was designed efficiently and purposely to create a sophisticated, modern workplace uniquely suited to the firm’s elite client base and professional staff.

The predominantly neutral scheme is embellished by the wooded landscape viewed through expansive sections of glass in the reception area, conference rooms and offices. To maximize daylight and encourage an open feeling, perimeter offices and conference rooms have full-height glass walls and workstations partitions are low allowing light to penetrate into the space.

Designed to support both daily work activities and social functions, the reception area is generously proportioned to accommodate large gatherings while serving as the welcome center for clients. The desk composed of white lacquered wood with insets of specialty finished wood panels, sets the tone for other millwork throughout the space.

Clean and coordinated finishes such as glass, dark stained mahogany panels, painted doors and mouldings combine with stylish transitional furnishings to make the office fresh and updated. Budget conscience design decisions such as textured vinyl wallcovering used as backsplashes in between cabinetry in the breakroom, catering kitchen and coffee bar were creative ways to introduce pizzazz.

Because timing was critical, the project’s four-month design phase and four-month construction schedule played a vital role in selection of finishes and furnishings.  Highly functional yet stylish contemporary design demonstrates detailed coordination within a tight timeframe.