O.D.U MARINE ELECTRICAL PROPULSION SIMULATION LABORATORY CONCEPT | New Port News, VA

TIDES & TIES...Developing a Vision for a Resilient Research Hub

The Challenge: 

The Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM (TIES) and Old Dominion University approached us with a challenge that began long before any design work: to help them conceptualize and determine the feasibility of a major new Development—a state-of-the-art Marine Electric Propulsion Simulation Laboratory. The core challenge was to define a viable path forward for a complex facility on an environmentally sensitive tributary, balancing the needs of a high-tech research lab with a public-facing community makerspace.

The FADE Approach: 

Our first role was to act as Development partners, translating the university's programmatic needs into a feasible, site-specific vision. Our process began with a deep analysis of the site's potential and its constraints, including tributary studies and storm surge analysis to understand the environmental risks. This research directly informed our primary development strategy: locating the building on the highest point of the landscape to ensure long-term resilience. With a viable location established, our Architectural team crafted a concept that organized the complex program—from the wave shop to labs and classrooms—into a highly functional and inspiring facility that maximizes views and integrates sustainable features like a green roof and solar arrays.

The Outcome: 

The result of this journey is a comprehensive conceptual package that provides TIES and Old Dominion University with a clear, viable roadmap for the Development of their new laboratory. The detailed site studies, floor plans, and concept imagery serve as a powerful tool for fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and moving the project into its next phase. We successfully provided the foundational vision needed to transform an ambitious idea into a tangible, developable project.

Our expertise in development and architecture provides the clear roadmap you need to move your project from concept to reality.

Let's discuss how we can bring your vision to life.