4,300 SQFT | 2023

Purvis City Hall, completed in 2023, is a modern take on a small-town municipal building. When project discussions began, the mayor and city leaders wanted a building that respected the city’s history, while forecasting the future.

The existing City Hall was located across the street from the new site and shared space with the Police Department. As the city grew, so did their need for space, necessitating a new City Hall with room to grow. The goal was to send a message with the building’s design that Purvis was a forward-thinking City geared towards expansion and creativity.

The site, a tight corner lot, could be seen on all sides, therefore, the building didn’t have a “back” and needed to be beautiful and interesting from every angle. A brick building was a prerequisite, and when originally designing, the team imagined the City Hall as a white brick building. When exploring ways to give the large expanses of brick character without incurring additional cost, the architects sought inspiration by researching the history of Purvis and the existing buildings. One school building stood out for a distinctive “X” pattern that turned out to be significant in the community. The pattern was constructed with bricks from a building that had been demolished in the Purvis Tornado of 1908. The architects borrowed this pattern, enlarged it, and wrapped the building with it, gaining character while adding no cost.

Purvis has a long history as a lumber town and the City leaders wanted to respect this by using a wood structure. While wood was the chosen structural material, Purvis has a history of tornadoes, so ensuring that the building could withstand high-wind events was paramount. This was accomplished by using Structural Select lumber for the walls and roof, and building custom LVL mass-timber beams on-site to handle the 10’ overhang at the entry and 6’ overhang at the drive-through.

During construction, red brick was installed with the intention of painting the brick. However, the architects and city leaders chose to leave the brick unpainted. The choice, while not determined by cost savings, provided a financial windfall, while also speaking to the brick buildings surrounding the site.

The interior of the new City Hall speaks to the City’s history with lumber, accomplished by cladding the lobby with local pine and keeping most of the finishes clean and simple, allowing the open spaces to be filled with natural light.

2,100 SQFT | 2023

Located on the Fowl River in Theodore, Alabama, the cabin consists of two slender bars, each angled to capture the most ideal river and foliage views while not damaging existing trees. Wrapped in black corrugated metal, the house disappears into the trees and serves as a backdrop for the breathtaking natural landscape.

The interiors are comprised of a muted color palette mixed with warm wood tones and a variety of textures. The kitchen, dining, and living spaces spill into each other and bleed into the outdoor gathering spaces to allow for easy exterior-to-interior gathering and entertaining. The upstairs is comprised of two bedroom suites, with the primary suite overlooking the river and native vegetation.

Sustainability, in the short term and long term, is a focus of the project, which is located in a hurricane zone. The exterior metal is strong and storm resistant, but it is also made from recycled content and is reusable and recyclable. The building is elevated on columns, which allows flora and fauna to live and grow uninterrupted. The height also prepares the house for rising water. The windows are impact-rated and aluminum clad, so they are storm resistant and contain recyclable material. They are also carefully placed to ensure consistent daylight, so less electricity is needed. When electricity is needed, solar panels provide the majority of the cabin’s electrical needs, including the electric car charging port.

Published by: Architect Magazine (2019)

Metropolis Magazine (2024)

MOBILE, AL

In Process

Tall Architects has been selected to design eight new houses in Africatown, an historic neighborhood in Mobile, AL formed by the 110 African slaves brought to America on the last known American slave ship. The houses will draw deeply from the area’s cultural heritage and established architectural language, blending elements of traditional housing types, like the Shotgun house—a familiar form across the South—and the Wide House, a style unique to Africatown. This approach ensures the new structures will honor the neighborhood’s distinctive past while providing fresh, modern interpretations.

Each of the eight houses is inspired by one of these archetypal forms, yet subtly modified to create contemporary and unique structures. Small design gestures—such as reshaping the angles of hipped roofs or setting porches slightly back from the street—will create a clear dialogue between past and present, distinguishing these homes from Africatown’s historic structures without disrupting the neighborhood’s cohesive aesthetic. Additional character will be infused through strategically placed color accents and architectural detailing drawn from nearby buildings and the historic architecture of Old Mobile.

The houses will be thoughtfully placed on empty lots to revitalize the neighborhood streetscape, contributing to the area’s rhythm and flow while promoting a sense of unity among residents. By positioning the houses to complement each other and the surrounding architecture, the project will foster a strong sense of community, creating an inviting, connected space for neighbors to gather.

Incorporating details inspired by Africatown’s rich legacy—such as intricate woodwork that recalls traditional craftsmanship and a color palette reflective of the region’s cultural vibrancy—the architects aim to celebrate Africatown’s past while laying the groundwork for future generations. This balance of respect for history with forward-looking design will ensure these homes feel authentically part of Africatown, supporting a bright and thriving community for years to come.

3,080 SQFT | 2024

The Rayburn House sits on a charming corner lot in downtown Ocean Springs, perfectly suited to its striking design. From the outset, the clients referenced “post-modern notions of a Southern house” and the whimsical aesthetic of the “Beetlejuice house,” inspiring a bold and creative collaboration. The result is a house that pushes design boundaries while respecting its historical context.

Unconventional window patterns punctuate the elevations, creating playfulness and individuality. The patterns satisfy the clients’ desire for uniqueness while adhering to Historic Preservation Commission guidelines. Every window placement was carefully considered to optimize views, light, and a sense of openness, blending functionality with artistic appeal.

The house’s elevated structure, a response to its VE flood zone location, turns a challenge into an opportunity. Raised eight feet above the ground, the design provides valuable space underneath for parking and entertaining, adding a practical and flexible aspect to the home. The ground-level area is ideal for coastal living, offering shaded space that stays cool and usable throughout the year.

The design embraces Southern architectural traditions, emphasizing indoor-outdoor living with expansive porches, shaded areas, and carefully oriented windows that foster a connection to the environment. Cross-ventilation and abundant natural light enhance energy efficiency while creating comfortable, inviting spaces.

Throughout the process, collaboration with the clients was key. Their enthusiasm and willingness to explore unconventional ideas allowed the design team to craft a home that defies convention while respecting its historical and environmental context. The Rayburn House reflects their personality and vision, blending creativity with practicality.

Standing as a distinctive and functional landmark in downtown Ocean Springs, the Rayburn House exemplifies how thoughtful design transforms challenges into opportunities. From its elevated foundation to its unique details, it is a celebration of artistic innovation, resilience, and a deep connection to place.

MOBILE, AL

In Process

As the last remaining theater that once served Black audiences exclusively, the Ace holds deep cultural importance. Though much of its original character has been lost, the project team—through research, interviews, and community input—has developed a plan to revive its spirit in a way that respects its past and serves current needs.

The vision extends beyond the theatre to the surrounding neighborhood. The restored Ace will be a performance venue for the Excelsior Band and a space for community gathering, honoring the band’s legacy and energizing Mobile’s Civil Rights and Cultural Heritage District.

Known as “The Avenue,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue (formerly Davis Avenue) was once the heart of Black life in Mobile. Decades of decline have dimmed its vibrancy, but its story endures. To support renewal without displacement, the Mobile County Commission has introduced a plan to preserve historic sites, share the district’s stories, and boost heritage tourism—with the Ace as a vital anchor.

2,000 SQFT | 2021

The Walter Anderson Museum of Art asked Tall architects to design a renovation and restoration of a cottage the museum uses for educational classes, which had been deemed “The Art Cottage”. The renovation of the cottage, an 1890s Queen Anne structure, is the first phase in the museum’s new campus expansion, the Creative Complex, which will consist of classroom space, event space, and studios.

The project consisted of an interior reimagining, including relocating the stair (added during one of several renovations) to the exterior, opening up two small rooms into one large studio, adding a rear porch, reconfiguring the upstairs for guest lodging, and providing accessibility throughout.

The museum’s request was to show a progression through time—past to present—from the historic street elevation, through the interior, to the new porch. With this in mind, the front gallery was restored to its original layout with beadboard walls and ceiling, tongue and groove floor, and two doors leading into the main studio. The main studio that follows is an open workspace that pays homage to Anderson’s block prints via graphics on the ceiling. This space is used for classes, meetings, and exhibitions. Towards the rear of the cottage, there is a smaller studio—formerly a storage room—with windows overlooking a porch that appears to be exploding into the landscape. The porch, and its amphitheater stairs, provide space for outdoor classes, lectures, and concerts. It sets the tone for the second phase of the campus expansion.

Published by: ArchDaily (2021) & Archello (2021)

480 SQFT | 2018

The Tall House was designed and built as a micro laboratory to test innovative and affordable materials, explore efficient massing strategies, optimize space planning, and refine cutting-edge building techniques. As both a functional residence and a testing ground for architectural ideas, it reflects a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what small-scale, flexible living can achieve.

The home is comprised of two buildings separated by an outdoor living area, intentionally designed to embrace and highlight the surrounding environment. At its heart is a mature oak tree, offering shade and a sense of permanence that contrasts with the house’s moveable nature. Each building measures 10’x24’, creating a combined 480 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space. Despite its modest footprint, the home achieves a balance of openness, privacy, and functionality.

When selecting a location, the owners were torn between urban conveniences and the tranquility of rural life. Ultimately, a four-acre piece of land fifteen minutes from town won out, offering a serene escape with easy access to the city. However, with the possibility of returning to urban life in the future, they challenged themselves to design a home that could be relocated without losing its character or integrity.

Inside, the south building contains a cozy bedroom, a bathroom, and a small office that can double as a guest room. The north building houses a kitchen, living area, dining area, and laundry. These spaces are connected by a central deck that acts as an outdoor living room. Elevated like a treehouse, the deck provides a connection to nature and is bordered by amphitheater-like stairs on two sides, inviting moments of relaxation or gathering.

The Tall House not only highlights the potential of compact and transportable designs but also serves as an inspiration for future projects seeking to combine mobility with thoughtful, sustainable architecture. It demonstrates that small, adaptable homes can offer both immediate practicality and long-term appeal, making them an ideal solution for those navigating changing circumstances or seeking to rebuild in the wake of disasters.

2,500 SQFT | 2019

In early 2018, the owner of Twisted Run Retreat, a yoga and writing retreat, approached the architects about designing a pavilion nestled into the wooded fifteen acre property. The project was accelerated and expanded a few months later when an existing cabin (one of three on the property) was struck by lightning and burned. After discussing the goals for the property, the owner and architects decided the best course of action was to replace the burned cabin with two cabins and situate the pavilion in a central location.

The three, new buildings are similar with symmetrical, tilted gable roofs that have been said to portray the idea of “downward facing dog”, an appropriate evocation for a yoga retreat. Low maintenance materials, including cement panels, cedar battens, and corrugated metal, further unite the buildings, and allow the structures to recede into the trees.

The Bishop and Welty cabins, named for Elizabeth Bishop and Eudora Welty, are each 650 square feet and sleep four. They sit atop a bluff overlooking the Pascagoula River, with porches on the ends of the structures to take advantage of eastern river and western forest views and breezes. The cabins are frequently used for visiting writers who can be found on the porches listening to the rustle of leaves, smelling the rain, and watching the moving shadows.

The Woolf pavilion, named for writer Virginia Woolf, is a quiet space for yoga, art, music, and lectures. One enters the pavilion under a low overhang, which creates a snug and intimate portal. Once inside, the space opens up with a vaulted roof, clad in plywood panels, and a twelve foot tall screen wall that overlooks the lush forest. This space allows one to feel connected to the surrounding forest while also giving a sense of seclusion and protection.

Published by: ArchDaily (2021) & Archello (2021)

Metropolis Magazine (2024)

4,500 SQFT | IN PROCESS

This is the third and largest project Tall Architects has worked on with the Walter Anderson Museum of Art. The site is located across the street from the museum and galleries and sits behind the Courtney Blossman Art Cottage (renovation and additions completed by Tall in 2021). The project began with a site planning analysis to determine the best use of the tight site (50’ wide x 300’ deep) and the interaction between the existing cottage and the new education facility. After gaining an initial understanding of the site, the design team, along with Mississippi State University’s Gulf Coast Community Design Studio, hosted a charrette with museum staff, board members, and community members. This charrette informed much of the program for the new building and demonstrated the community’s desire for a building that provided spaces to gather, create, and celebrate.

The new building will consist of 4,587 square feet of education space, event space, workshops, and artist studios/residences. The interior spaces were designed to feel open, light, and airy, while maintaining space and simplicity that will highlight the work being created in the building, rather than the building itself. Resilient materials will be used throughout, which will include durable concrete floors, exposed plywood, and expanded metal. These materials will ensure that nothing is too precious and the spaces will only get better as they patina.

The design and engineering of this building encountered many hurdles throughout the process, including multiple approvals from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, approval from the Ocean Springs Historic Preservation Commission, Conditional Use permits, and uneven soil conditions requiring helical piles and a highly specialized foundation and landscape architecture strategy. Phase One funding has been released and a construction contract has been awarded. Construction began August 2024.

17,400 SQFT | 2021

The Center of Hope is a Salvation Army campus in downtown Gulfport, MS dedicated to providing support to families in need. This project consists of a new 6,400 square foot transitional housing building and the renovation of an existing 11,000 square foot outreach facility.

The new building has eight two-bedroom units that function as temporary living facilities while families find employment and permanent housing. The building form was created by playing with a simple box. The single box became two boxes through splitting it horizontally and then tipping the top box towards the south. The move allows for strong gulf winds to blow up and over the building, while providing solar protection for the southern windows. The building was constructed with robust materials that can withstand heavy use, while creating a sense of warmth and familiarity. The interior palette is a calming backdrop for the residents who are often coping with stressful life situations while living in a communal environment.

The existing building consists of a serving kitchen, new large food pantry, community room, offices, laundry, and accessible showers and restrooms. The building, while functional before, needed major upgrades in terms of space planning, accessibility, finishes, and lighting. The exterior of the building, as well as the interior, was finished in a manner consistent with the new building. Through the simple use of color, new punched windows in offices that did not have windows, and new landscaping and parking, the two buildings become one overall campus.

IN PROCESS

We are grateful to the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center (LMDC) for asking us to help expand and improve their campus. The first phase of this process consists of creating an immersive Blue Economy building that introduces marine-related technologies and educational pathways to young people in fun and memorable ways. An extensive master plan for the existing six-acre campus near the water in Gulfport is also in the works that will focus on the future of the organization, including other potential campus expansions.

If you don’t know that much about LMDC, here is a brief bio: LMDC was the first children’s museum in the State of Mississippi. It is dedicated to inspiring children, families and communities through the arts, interactive educational experiences and exploration. LMDC strives to instill a lifelong love of learning through laughter and play. In April 2016, Lynn Meadows Discovery Center was awarded the highest honor a museum can receive—the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. This award, presented by the First Lady of the United States, is given as a tribute to the organization’s ability to make a difference in the lives of children, families and communities through extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service, exceeding the expected levels of community outreach. LMDC was one of only 10 recipients throughout the nation.

We are thrilled to partner with LMDC, and the conceptual renderings of the Blue Economy that you see are just the beginning.

3,000 SQFT | 2024

The Koller Home in Madison, Mississippi, was designed as a serene yet practical retreat for a surgeon, a subsistence farmer, and their multi-generational family.

Felicitas, a transplant surgeon with a love for beautifully curated spaces, needed a place to unwind after long hospital shifts. George, a farmer, needed space to handle everything from hundreds of pounds of produce to the occasional pig harvest. Their distinct needs led the design team to divide the home into three zones, each with its own material identity.

Zone one, a single-story black metal bar, is purely functional—housing the garage, mudroom, and farm kitchen. Zone two, clad in shou sugi ban, includes the main kitchen and living room—spaces that bring Felicitas joy. The third zone, a two-story brick bar, contains bedrooms and an upstairs living area.

As the design evolved, the team embraced the idea of a home with a story. Rather than something new and polished, Felicitas and George envisioned a home that felt like it had grown over time. Each bar represents a different chapter: the metal garage bar as the beginning, followed by the shou sugi ban kitchen volume, and finally, the brick bedroom bar. Interior “windows” between the zones, like those overlooking the kitchen, enhance this sense of layering—perfect for moments like Jude reading while his parents cook below.

While the past inspired the home’s narrative, the future guided its systems. The home uses a geothermal heat pump and is ready for solar panels. Outside, native grasses, wildflowers, and a potager garden support both beauty and function.

More than a dwelling, the Koller Home reflects its residents—a place where beauty meets utility, where the past informs the present, and where the spaces are ready to grow with the family for years to come.

BILOXI, MS

In Process

The vision for the development is to provide high-quality, long-term rental housing designed specifically with Air Force personnel in mind. These units aim to offer both comfort and convenience for military residents, while also contributing positively to the historic Biloxi neighborhood. Each of the eight units—divided between two buildings—features a lofted space overlooking the main living area, creating a sense of openness and modern living. Additionally, every unit includes generous outdoor spaces.

Designed with longevity, affordability, and minimal maintenance in mind, the buildings incorporate durable, low-maintenance exterior materials, including cementitious siding and metal panels. The materials ensure resilience against coastal weather conditions while maintaining an modern aesthetic. The street-facing façades feature bold, vibrant colors, and the playful window arrangement adds charm, making the buildings both functional and visually engaging.

The project is located within a designated historic district, an area that includes a mix of traditional homes and commercial structures. Given the context, it was essential that the design be sensitive to the neighborhood’s character while still meeting the client’s needs for modern, practical housing. The approval process required review by Biloxi’s Architectural and Historical Review Commission (AHRC) as well as the Design Review Committee (DRC). Successfully navigating these approvals involved balancing historical context with contemporary function.

Adding to the complexity of the project is its location in a flood zone, necessitating an elevated foundation. This presented both technical and aesthetic challenges, as the design had to maintain a welcoming, residential feel while meeting strict floodplain requirements. Through careful consideration of materials, scale, and detailing, we have created a design that blends seamlessly with the existing neighborhood fabric while providing high-quality, long-term rental housing for Biloxi’s Air Force personnel.

LONG BEACH, MS

In Process

Nestled on a narrow, wooded lot in Long Beach, MS, this multi-generational house fosters connection while embracing its natural surroundings. Designed for a young family and their extended relatives, it balances privacy with shared living spaces, creating an environment where multiple generations can thrive.

A defining feature is the entry sequence. Rather than stepping directly inside, visitors pass through an open breezeway that frames the courtyard beyond. This transitional space blends indoor and outdoor living, enhancing the experience of arrival.

At the heart of the house lies a central courtyard, a sheltered outdoor room ideal for play, relaxation, and gathering. It allows light and air to flow throughout the house while preserving a sense of enclosure. This communal hub encourages interaction among family members, reflecting the core vision of shared living.

Because the owners work from home, the house includes a separate office attached to the garage wing. This setup provides a private, focused workspace that remains close to the main residence. Large windows and careful detailing ensure a peaceful environment without disrupting daily household activities.

Compositionally, the exterior features two corrugated metal panels—shiny galvalume and earthy reddish orange. The combination creates a durable yet fresh aesthetic, with textured surfaces playing with light and shadow over the course of the day. Inside, the interiors emphasize simplicity, natural light, and functional playfulness. An open living area seamlessly connects kitchen, dining, and living spaces, balancing openness with pockets of refuge.

By integrating the breezeway, courtyard, home office, extended-family suite, and main dwelling, the house reimagines multi-generational living—one that aligns contemporary requirements with future aspirations..

8,550 SQ.FT | IN PROCESS

The Lemon Building will be located at 1012 Government St. in downtown Ocean Springs and will consist of a three story building housing retail space, offices, and a hotel concept. The building’s design will be forward thinking in concept and detailing, while speaking to the history of the city via arched openings and an ornamented brick façade. Always keeping budget at the forefront, the design team chose to use a cost effective pre-fabricated metal super structure that allows for speedy, efficient construction.

3,100 SQFT | 2023

The renovation to the Historic Pascagoula High School Band Hall provides much needed exhibit and activity space for the Mississippi Shipbuilding & Maritime Center. The 3,100 square foot, metal frame building was meticulously kept historically accurate, while extensive updates were made to electrical and mechanical systems. Windows were replaced where previously removed, in order to bring back the historical character of the building, both inside and out. This renovation was designed with high functionality, future flexibility, and adaptation at the forefront. In addition to the renovation of the building, Tall also designed and coordinated all of the museum exhibits in collaboration with Red Deluxe, a branding and marketing company.

GULFPORT, MS

In Process

Tall Architects is proud to be leading the renovation of the historic Broadmoor Grocery, a cherished landmark nestled in the heart of Gulfport’s historic Soria City neighborhood. This project represents more than just a building restoration; it’s a celebration of the community’s rich history and a commitment to preserving its unique character for generations to come.

The Broadmoor Grocery has long been a cornerstone of Soria City, a neighborhood steeped in culture and tradition. Originally established as a vibrant hub for commerce and connection, the store played a vital role in the daily lives of its residents. Over time, the building’s historic charm faded, but its significance to the community endured. Tall Architects’ vision for the renovation is to restore the grocery’s original character while adapting it to serve modern needs, ensuring it continues to be a gathering place for the neighborhood.

Through meticulous research and collaboration with local historians, Tall Architects is uncovering and honoring the Broadmoor Grocery’s architectural heritage. From restoring the original façade to thoughtfully updating the interiors, the design will strike a balance between preserving historic details and integrating contemporary functionality. Sustainable building practices will be employed throughout the renovation, reflecting our firm’s commitment to environmentally responsible design.

The revitalized Broadmoor Grocery will serve as a catalyst for renewal in Soria City, providing a space for local businesses, cultural events, and community gatherings. Its restoration will not only celebrate the past but also contribute to the future vibrancy of the Gulfport community. At Tall Architects, we believe in the power of architecture to tell stories and build connections, and we are honored to bring new life to this iconic piece of Gulfport’s history.

4,860 SQ.FT | IN CONSTRUCTION

Located on the University of Southern Mississippi’s Halstead Campus as part of the Gulf Coast Research Lab, this building was designed to function as a boat repair shop. The directive from the University was to design a building that is highly functional, affordable, and in-keeping with the surrounding buildings. This single-slope, metal frame building is 4,500 square feet under roof and provides both interior workshop and exterior boat storage. The building is designed to be easy to maintain, simple to construct, and long-lasting in order to provide the University decades of use and versatility. This project is currently in construction.

3,000 SQFT (INTERIOR/EXTERIOR) | IN BIDDING

The Lot is a modern restaurant that puts the focus on high quality, wood-fired dishes and a unique dining environment. The main cooking spaces are located in a pared down, rugged building, allowing the focus to fall on the outdoor dining environment that will be surrounded by lush foliage, murals by local artists, and industrial materials.

1,300 SQFT | 2018

Designed and built as an experiment in space conservation and open living, the Arguelles residence is 1,300 square feet of vaulted living space contained within a sleek, low maintenance metal shell. The house pinwheels around a main living area that looks out onto a deep, southern porch that provides ample natural light throughout the day with no additional heat load. The living space and porch take advantage of the views across the pool, pond, and surrounding five acres, while the kitchen and dining areas overlook serene views of the woods to the north. It was important to the clients and the architects that each space and window visually capture moments in the landscape in unique ways, morphing throughout the day with the changing light.

Flanking the open living space are a main suite to the west and a guest suite to the east. The separation of the suites by the open living space allows for privacy when desired, blocks the harsh eastern and western sun from the main living space, and eliminates corridors.

Materials for the project are simple and rugged, with galvalume metal panels cladding the exterior walls and roof, lacquered plywood on the ceiling, polished concrete on the floor, and exposed metal ducts. The owners wanted a light-filled, hurricane resistant home requiring little to no maintenance. The architects accomplished this by carefully placing windows, reducing overhangs, limiting ornamentation, using hearty industrial materials, and orienting the house with the long sides facing to the North and South.

MOBILE, AL

4,000 SQFT | IN PROCESS

Tall Architects is currently working on the renovation of a unique building located on St. Francis Street in Mobile, AL, which will serve as the temporary administrative offices and event space for the Alabama Contemporary Art Center (ACAC) while their main facility undergoes renovations.

During demolition, several original architectural features were uncovered, including wood ceiling joists and brick walls, which we plan to expose as much as possible to celebrate the building’s character and add warmth and texture to the interior. These elements will be preserved and highlighted as part of the design to create a space that balances the building’s historic identity with the needs of a contemporary art center.

The renovation aims to create an open, flexible environment for the ACAC staff and visitors, with a focus on maximizing natural light and enhancing the overall user experience. The interior design will incorporate open office layouts, meeting spaces, and areas for smaller, more intimate events. Outside, the design will include an active courtyard, providing a vibrant outdoor space for hosting events, workshops, and classes. The courtyard will act as an extension of the ACAC’s programmatic activities, offering a place for the community to gather, interact, and engage with art in a relaxed, welcoming environment. The courtyard’s design will seamlessly connect with the building’s interior, creating a harmonious flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.

This project presents an exciting opportunity to breathe new life into a historic building, providing the Alabama Contemporary Art Center with a dynamic, flexible space that will support its programming needs while honoring the building’s past. The renovation will not only help meet the ACAC’s immediate needs but also enhance the cultural vibrancy of Mobile by creating a space that encourages community engagement with the arts.

300 SQFT | IN PROCESS

USM’s GCRL (Gulf Coast Research Laboratory) tasked Tall with designing an open-air, hurricane resistant, modern, and economic laundry facility.

The materials for the building were kept simple and affordable, consisting of standard CMU for the walls and metal for the roof. In key places, the CMU was turned, exposing the holes in the blocks to create breeze blocks, which can be seen elsewhere on the GCRL campus. This simple move showcases Tall’s interest in taking affordable materials and using them in creative ways. The roof shape pulls influence from surrounding buildings and is simple to construct, while allowing for one run-off point for water, which reduces the need for gutters and overhangs.

This USM campus is focused on hands-on ocean learning, necessitating a building that not only serves as a laundry facility, but also as a spot the students can quickly wash-off after coming in from their field work. The four showers on the side of the building were designed with this in mind.

LANGLEY POINT, BILOXI, MS

3,500 SQFT | IN CONSTRUCTION

The home has been a lesson in combining grand simplicity and resiliency. How to build a cozy, modern home that is mere feet from the ocean and will withstand natural occurrences? Our response is to build in the most robust, basic, and obvious ways. The floor plan is almost square, the windows and porches are large but protected under deep overhangs, the roof is a simple gable, and the structure is mostly concrete which is expressed on the elevations as floor-to-roof columns. Construction expected in 2024.

13,000 SQFT | IN PROCESS

The Salvation Army in Pascagoula, Mississippi was in need of a new office facility in order to run day to day operations, as well as six transitional housing units. Tall designed a building that melds the two functions into one building, creating overlap with shared spaces, while addressing privacy and security needs via unique space planning. The building plan stretches across the site in an elongated z shape in order to create a public “front yard” for the community and a private “backyard” for the residents. The form of the building was based on simplicity and strength, with small elements being tweaked to add subtle drama.

4,800 SQFT | IN PROCESS

The 207 West Capitol renovation is part of the overall revitalization of downtown Jackson, Mississippi. The client came to Tall with a vision of a striking black building that would house both commercial and residential spaces. Tall set about exploring ways of achieving this vision with bold materials and sculptural forms. The north façade is composed of a series of arches clad in black glazed brick, and the interior spaces speak the same language with subtle curves and industrial materials.

3,300 SQFT | 2019

This taqueria started as a blank space in an existing building and quickly morphed into a hip and fun taco and margarita spot. Tall Architects was brought in to design the interior build out, along with Ferriss and Company for interior design, turning this 3,300 square foot space and 1,200 square foot outdoor patio into an upscale dining experience. With clean white walls, exposed ducts, fun textures, and crisp tile, the overall look was elevated to a fresh and modern restaurant.

IN CONSTRUCTION

We are delighted to show how the Latimer Community Center will soon be transformed. This project is dear to our hearts because it demonstrates how existing public buildings can be revived with a little effort, even if the budget is small. Designing big, fancy projects is fun, and we are grateful to get to work on those projects too, but we often feel most proud when we must distill the aspirations of projects to the essentials, while maintaining functionality and joy.

Functionally, the well-loved 30+ year old building serves its purpose as a community hub well, but the roof has begun to leak due to a parapet that wraps around the pitched roof. Cutting off the parapet was the place to start. Next came reroofing and replacing the gutters, and the last little pot of money went to jazzing it up via moving the marquis sign and repainting the building. It is not rocket science, but we hope the moves make a big impact on a somewhat rural building that needs some TLC.

What we have learned from the project is that any public building, especially one like this that serves dozens of functions—like a voting location, weekend market, wedding reception venue, cyclists’ meet-up location, and social group homebase—can be energized with a little effort. We are grateful to Jackson County and the Latimer community for letting us be a small part in the revitalization of this building.

PASCAGOULA, MS

21,000 SQFT | 2023

Competition Finalist

The City of Pascagoula has been operating for many years in several buildings across the city. The goal for the project is to create a permanent home for The City and its constituent departments. Our proposal is to create a campus-like building with wings that will operate similarly to a school. Each department has its own wing that operates somewhat independently but that is supported by the neighboring wings.

The building is an H in plan, with a protected western entry that faces the Pascagoula River. The council chambers are in the middle of the H and are daylit by large windows that face the eastern courtyard. The exterior is clad in textured precast concrete panels. For solar and wind protection, the windows sit deep in the walls and have precast concrete headers and sills.