Finding Strength through diverSity
Thomas hughes architecture
Starting with mainly retail projects Thomas H. Hughes Architecture, P.C. branched out to commercial, educational and religious projects, helping keep strong during these tough economic times.
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Thomas H. HUghes Architecture
Finding Strength Through DIversity by Joan Tupponce ABOVE: New Philadelphia Moravian Church, WinstonSalem, NC. Renovation of the existing facility and 19,000 sq. ft. fellowship hall addition. OPPOSITE PAGE: First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC. The restoration and renovation of a historic 83-year-old facility.
When Thomas Hughes established Thomas H Hughes tioning high school campus and rotate from one piece Architecture, P.C. in 1987, the majority of the company’s to the next?’” Hughes said. “There was a lot of hands-on work was retail projects. Today, the strength of the com- commitment from our office. Someone from our staff was pany is rooted in its diverse portfolio. out there every few days coordinating and making sure “We’ve become much more diversified over the last four questions were handled immediately.” years,” Hughes said. “We still do a lot of commercial projects, Phasing of projects and coordinating in the field is one but we also design educational and religious projects, as of the company’s strengths. well as government and university work.” “We have the capability of providing more extensive The company’s educational projects have helped keep service during construction if the situation warrants the firm strong during these tough economic times. that,” Hughes said. “That’s where we have focused a lot of our energies over The company, currently licensed in 10 states, provides the last several years,” Hughes said. clients with a full scope of work, from design and construcOne such project was West Forsyth High School in tion documents to construction administration. Even Winston Salem, N.C., the home town of Thomas H Hughes though commercial and retail projects have lessened in Architecture, P.C. The project included the renovations the last couple of years, the company continues to excel of seven classroom buildings and the renovation and in that focus. expansion of the central administration and media center Recent commercial projects include the second phase building where visitors enter the campus and interact of the mixed use development of Mount Tabor Place in with the school staff. To modernize and set that central Winston-Salem, N.C. The complex includes an 11,000 building apart visually, the firm added a two-story glass square-foot building of retail, restaurant and secondentry element and an exterior entry courtyard. The administration, guidance and media center spaces were expanded, as well. Wilson-Covington Construction Co. is proud to be a leader in the commercial, residential, and historic Working on the project while the restoration fields in the North Carolina Triad. Since 1947, they have provided property owners with building was occupied proved to be the highest quality work for reasonable costs. Their staff of highly skilled craftsmen and carpenters, a challenge for the team. “It was a experienced superintendents, and hands-on project managers deliver excellent service to all clients. Wilson-Covington’s family-owned and operated business is proud to have worked with Thomas Hughes question of ‘How do you perform Architecture on projects ranging from residential additions and remodels to tenant upfits, new office and renovations on an existing, func- warehouse spaces, and other large commercial projects. For more information, please call 336-724-1721.
WILSON-COVINGTON CONSTRUCTION CO.
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THIS PAGE: Schematic Design meeting between to members of the staff. From Left to right: Barry Parks, staff architect; Carlos V. Espinosa, architect and firm principal. OPPOSITE PAGE: River Birch Lodge Restaurant, WinstonSalem, NC. Exterior and Interior views of the restaurant launched by local restaurateurs featuring casual mountain dining.
story office space, along with a 22,000 square-foot building for The Fresh Market. Hughes and his firm work on many regional projects for the grocery chains The Fresh Market and Lowes Foods. Grand Dunes Marketplace in Myrtle Beach, S.C. is another recent commercial retail project for the firm. “The developer was looking for a different style and design, more of a Mediterranean style architecture,” Hughes said. The 85,000-square-foot development includes a Lowes Foods supermarket, two large restaurants and several high-end boutique shops as well as lush landscaping and numerous gathering areas. Religious projects represent another company focus. One of the firm’s most unique projects was First Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C., which included the interior renovation of the 1920s sanctuary. “It was a good collaboration with contractor, R. P. Murray,” Hughes said, noting how the interior work presented a distinctive challenge. “The space was very tall and we had to scaffold the entire area so we could have access to the ceiling dome for repairs and repainting. The project required extensive staging and field coordination.” Working on these diverse projects keeps the company fresh and innovative. “It’s also a safety net with the current state of the economy,” Hughes said. “If one area of expertise slows down, we have other areas we can draw from. That has really worked well for us over the last several years.” ALT
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