Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

World Mental Health Day brings into sharp focus the urgent need for mental health care services tailored to children and adolescents. These formative years can define a lifetime, yet North Carolina faces a sobering challenge: it ranks nearly last nationwide for overall behavioral health and access to quality behavioral health services. The Katie Blessing Center is stepping up to meet this need, offering a glimmer of hope for families across the state.   When completed, the Katie Blessing Center will be North Carolina’s largest pediatric and adolescent behavioral health hospital, focusing on individualized, comprehensive care for children aged 5-18. The 70,000-square-foot facility is designed to change the narrative around psychiatric centers. With its thoughtful, modern, and welcoming spaces—including therapy rooms, group activity areas, a gym, an education center, art and music rooms, outdoor walkways, and animal therapy—the center aims to create a healing environment that fosters growth and well-being. Its diverse range of services will support young patients navigating mental health challenges in a space that encourages openness and understanding.   Katie Blessing Center partnered with Little’s Visual Impact Studio early in their project journey to support their fundraising efforts. When they first approached us, their main challenge was securing the final $25 million. By collaborating closely with our designers and architects, we transformed their vision into a compelling 3D experience. The result? A powerful 5-minute marketing video featuring drone footage, 3D animations, key statistics, and emotional interviews. Today, they’ve successfully raised $50 million toward their $62 million goal.   Watch the full video and uncover more about this transformative project here: https://lnkd.in/enf7jpNz

In a world experiencing climate change, revitalizing old buildings is one of the most impactful ways we can help the planet. According to the World Green Building Council, 11% of global carbon emissions come from construction. But what if we could cut that down just by reusing existing buildings?   Today on the blog, Partner and Workplace Practice Leader Eddie Portis dives into the power of adaptive reuse, highlighting real-world successes like the Truliant Federal Credit Union Operations Center and The Thread projects. Discover how reimagining old spaces can pave the way to a more sustainable future: https://lnkd.in/dG_zf7dv

We are proud to share that Nicole Vachow Rehfuss has rejoined Little as Director of Visual Strategy. In this newly created role, Nicole will team up with leaders across Little’s Retail practice to expand the firm’s merchandising expertise while advancing visual retail activation and event-based marketing initiatives across all retail sectors.    “Anyone who has worked with Nicole will appreciate her ability to deliver results with a creative flair squarely focused on retailers’ operational challenges,” says James Farnell, FRDI, MCSD, Retail Practice Leader at Little. “Her prior experience as a retailer and successful franchise owner will provide a valuable perspective when developing specific sectors and services for Little. I’m excited to see the impact she will have on our valued clients and team members.”   Reflecting on her return to Little, Nicole adds, “After spending 15 years with some of the brightest and most talented architects and designers that “grew up” with Little, I am excited to return to collaborate with many new faces, new leadership, and continue to support the growth of Little’s Retail Practice. The culture here is unmatched!”   Learn more about Nicole at: https://lnkd.in/eyseWirr

In celebration of our 60th anniversary, we wanted to mark World Architecture Day this year in a meaningful way. With the release of our second children's book, If Buildings Could Talk 2, the "60 Books to 60 Organizations" initiative was born. What started as a goal to donate 60 books has grown beyond expectations, and we're proud to give over 75 copies to 65 organizations nationwide.   This effort goes beyond book donations—we hope to inspire young minds to embrace creativity and environmental stewardship. Through imaginative storytelling and vibrant illustrations, If Buildings Could Talk 2 encourages kids to explore sustainable architecture and rethink the built world. By partnering with schools, libraries, hospitals, and community groups, we're sparking a love for design and a passion for a sustainable future.   Visit https://lnkd.in/eTu4aC5u to see the full listing of the incredible organizations we've donated to—including these pictured:   ·  4Roots ·  Union County Southwest Regional Library ·  United Against Poverty Inc. ·  Vandora Springs Elementary School | Wake County Public School System ·  Bright Horizons Daycare at Tysons Pinnacle Drive ·  Orlando Public Library ·  ParentChild + ·  Renaissance West STEAM Academy | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools ·  Book Harvest ·  Promising Pages ·  Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte ·  Galileo School for Gifted Learning ·  A Gift for Teaching ·  Atrium Health Levine Children's ·  Reading Partners South Carolina

We're excited to introduce key leadership changes in our Charlotte office, strengthening our commitment to strong client partnerships within our firm's Community practice.   Leading this transition is longtime leader and partner Tom Balke, who has been named Charlotte Community Principal. In this newly created role, Tom will oversee the office's community-driven projects, guiding studios to design impactful, purpose-built spaces that foster connection and elevate the lives of all who use them. Shana Hetherington, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP will succeed Tom as Schools Studio Principal. Drawing on over 25 years of experience, Shana leads a team that collaborates with educators and students to design pre-K-12th grade educational spaces that improve learning, build community, and support child development.   In addition, Adam Caruthers has been named Higher Education Studio Principal. With broad experience in higher education design, Adam leads our team in working with campus leaders to create projects that improve social and academic experiences for students.   "Tom's vast knowledge and proven success as a studio principal will be invaluable for Shana and Adam as they step into their new roles," says Thomas Carlson-Reddig, Community Practice Leader at Little. "With his guidance, our next generation of leaders will thrive, while his expanded influence will fuel our firm's growth into new markets, setting the stage for even greater success."   Let's congratulate Tom, Shana, and Adam on their new leadership roles, where they'll continue to bring fresh insights and elevate our teams, clients, and communities.

Located between the townships of Waxhaw, Wesley Chapel, and Weddington, the Southwest Regional Library offers more than books—it fills a critical gap in services for an underserved part of Union County, NC. With its sprawling, wooded site and thoughtful design, the library blends seamlessly into the landscape, serving as both a community anchor and a quiet retreat.   In collaboration with county staff, Little helped evaluate potential sites for the library while leading three public town halls to engage the community on the programs and services that would define the library's success.   The project will unfold in two phases, beginning with 21,000 square feet of carefully planned space seen here, with a future expansion to 35,000 square feet as the district grows. The initial phase includes spacious reading areas for all ages, an expandable storytime space, a maker lab, a large meeting room, and an exterior courtyard. The building's circulation follows a central spine along the courtyard, ensuring continuous views and connection to the outdoors.   Since opening last April, the library has seen a surge in interest from the community, drawing an impressive average of over 10,500 visitors each month. In addition to the increase in foot traffic, the library has issued over 4,000 new accounts and booked nearly 2,000 study rooms, reflecting its growing role as a vibrant, essential resource.   Swipe through for a tour of the space.   #library #librarydesign #architecture #civicarchitecture #communityspaces  

We're excited to welcome Tracy Latvala back to Little as our Chief Financial Officer. In this role, she will lead our finance and accounting team while serving as a member of the firm's executive leadership team.   Tracy is no stranger to Little—she was a valued member of our finance team for seven years before departing in 2019. Now, she returns with even more expertise in boosting efficiency, developing talent, and driving strategic planning. With Tracy's leadership, we're confident our firm will continue to grow, innovate, and deliver exceptional results for our clients and teams.   "We are beyond excited to welcome Tracy Latvala back to Little as our new CFO,” shares Charles Todd, Chief Operating Officer at Little. “Tracy's return brings not only a wealth of experience but also a genuine passion for leading teams and driving innovation. Her deep understanding of our firm's culture, combined with her extensive industry knowledge, makes her the perfect fit to guide our finance and accounting team toward continued success.”   Learn more about Tracy on our website: https://lnkd.in/gqEmfFVs

Following the acquisition of Hughes Group Architects last year, Little DC has streamlined its operations, merging its two locations in Arlington and Sterling, Virginia, to a single office space in Tysons Corner. This move supports the rapidly growing team and emphasizes its dedication to collaboration, innovation, and client service.   Incorporating biophilic elements, the new office is designed to be an engaging workspace that encourages both creativity and focus by balancing private quiet rooms, flexible work zones, and a dynamic environment focused on employee well-being. Understated branded elements bring the space to life, connecting the DC team to firmwide core values. The design is built to adapt as technology, work styles, and social needs evolve. This ensures the space will stay a relevant and sought-after work destination for years to come.   "Collaboration flows effortlessly in our new office," says Gavin Myers, Office President at Little DC. "The space truly brings people together, making connections seamless and sparking creativity at every turn. Our team is more energized, more focused, and delivering even greater value to our clients. I’m eager to see how this environment continues to elevate the way we work."   Swipe to step inside our DC office and discover how form and function unite in this inspiring workspace.   #corporatedesign #corporateinteriors #workplace #workplacedesign #workdesign #office #officeinterior #officedesign #officespace #officelife #commercialinterior

We proudly announce that Little has ranked #25 on Building Design & Construction - BDC's 2024 list of Top Architecture Design Firms. This recognition wouldn't be possible without the trust and collaboration of our amazing clients and partners. Thank you for being part of our journey and helping us shape the future of design! #buildingdesignandconstruction #toparchitecturefirm #architecture

Streamlining the project delivery process is a major challenge in today's design industry. One possible solution is prefabrication. By examining pros and cons and learning from industry experts, prefabrication could make projects run more smoothly, saving both time and money.   On the blog today, healthcare designers Maite Bruno, Mark Gilman, and Suraj Radadia dive into the rising trend of prefabrication. They share their experiences and key takeaways from an exclusive tour of the SurePods™ facility in Orlando, where they saw firsthand how prefab is reshaping the future of construction. Read the team’s key takeaways and see what’s next for prefab at the link below: https://lnkd.in/erb9wg56 #prefabrication #prefabricatedconstruction #design #projectdelivery