Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Wolf Ackerman and EskewDumezRipple’s Center of Developing Entrepreneurs (CODE) is a new mixed-use project for CSH Development in Downtown Charlottesville that introduces a vibrant addition to the historic pedestrian mall, featuring a new public plaza and 215,000 square feet of multi-use space.
This strategic development incorporates a diverse mix of coworking areas, office spaces, shared amenities, and retail outlets.
Designed to cater to the dynamic needs of the community, the project aims to create a hub of activity and interaction, promoting a blend of professional and recreational environments.
By integrating various functional spaces within a central location, this initiative seeks to enhance urban living and foster economic growth, making Downtown Charlottesville a more attractive and engaging place for residents and visitors alike.
Center of Developing Entrepreneurs has recently been awarded an Honorable Mention at the 2023 American Architecture Awards by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
Two floors of coworking starting on the ground floor provide the foundation of this idea with hot desks, bookable conference rooms, common areas, and an extensive amenity area with coffee, culinary, and entrepreneurial shops intended to provide small businesses the resources they need to grow and flourish.
Based on the results of peer-reviewed research, a palette of low-emissions materials was employed, and the building ventilation system provides more than twice the standard flow of fresh air—but with an energy use 1/3 that of a typical office building.
Design choices were similarly informed by ongoing assessment of the carbon emissions associated with the materials used for construction, helping the team lower the carbon footprint of the project even before the building opened.
Project: Center of Developing Entrepreneurs
Architects: Wolf Ackerman
Associate Architects: EskewDumezRipple
General Contractor: Hourigan Group
Client: CSH Development
Photographers: Alan Karchmer
