The Value of Local Design for Corporate Clients

In communities with strong architectural, historic, and cultural identities—like Charlottesville, Virginia—corporate development projects can face significant pushback. Not because growth is unwelcome, but because communities like ours hold high standards for how new development fits within the historic city’s existing fabric. Navigating these expectations, as well as the local review process, often requires more than a standard design approach—and that’s where local architecture firms play a crucial role.

One-Size-Fits-All Doesn’t Always Fit

A recent project involving a large international hotel brand in downtown Charlottesville illustrates how even well-established corporate designs can run into friction in highly regulated, architecturally sensitive environments. The initial design package, developed by the hotel brand’s corporate architect, followed a familiar and efficient model—but one that didn’t fully align with the expectations of Charlottesville’s Board of Architectural Review (BAR) or the community’s strong sense of place.

While the corporate design team had done their due diligence from a brand and operational standpoint, the project still faced delays due to local architectural requirements and community buy-in.

Out-of-town architects—no matter how skilled—often find themselves navigating unfamiliar review processes like the BAR or ARB (Architectural Review Board). In doing so, there can be a tendency to resolve design challenges by choosing the path of least resistance—aiming for what seems least objectionable in hopes of securing approval more easily. But this approach can be a slippery slope.

BAR members are typically looking for more than safe or conventional design. Their priority is often a nuanced, contextual response—an integrated architectural approach that meaningfully engages the public realm and reflects the unique character of the site. What may seem like a pragmatic, "safe" design choice from the outside may, in fact, work against the spirit of the review process.

Helping Move Projects Forward Responsibly

That’s when Design Develop was brought in—to collaborate with the corporate architect and development team, not to replace or override their work. Our role was to serve as a local partner who could bridge the gap between the project's brand standards and Charlottesville’s unique architectural requirements and community expectations.

By working hand-in-hand with the corporate team, we were able to:

• Align the Design with Local Context: We adapted the existing concept to better fit the surrounding neighborhood, using materials, scale, and massing more in tune with Charlottesville’s historic environment.

• Preserve Brand Integrity: Throughout the process, we remained committed to maintaining the brand’s technical and operational standards—ensuring consistency in guest experience, layout efficiency, and identity.

• Improve Efficiency: Through strategic design adjustments, we increased usable interior space, created room for additional guest suites, and expanded on-site parking—all without disrupting the brand’s identity.

• Lower Construction Costs: Surprisingly, our collaborative redesign efforts also led to a more cost-effective construction plan, easing the overall project budget.

  
  

At Design Develop, we’ve found that the most successful outcomes come not from checking the boxes, but from embracing the opportunity to iterate. By working closely with the BAR and our clients, we’ve helped shape designs that not only satisfy regulatory requirements but also elevate the project's overall quality—designs that reflect local context, enhance public engagement, and improve long-term market success.

Incremental Design

We call this approach “incremental design”—small, strategic shifts that make a big impact. In this case, our local insight helped move the needle enough to satisfy BAR requirements and community concerns, without derailing the entire original vision or brand identity. These kinds of adjustments are often the difference between a stalled project and a successful one.

In our experience, external design review should not be seen as a hurdle to clear, but as an invitation to refine the architecture. When handled thoughtfully, it can help unlock better site integration, improve connections to pedestrian and vehicular networks, and create stronger relationships with adjacent buildings and natural topography. Ultimately, it leads to buildings that are not only more likely to gain approval, but that also perform better—socially, economically, and aesthetically.

Corporations and Communities

In architecturally discerning markets like Charlottesville, success isn’t about abandoning a corporate vision—it’s about enhancing it through collaboration. By partnering with local architects like us, corporations can tap into our deep familiarity with zoning codes, review board expectations, and community sentiment, all of which are essential for project approval and long-term success. But just as important is our ability to work with the corporate architect and project team to protect the brand’s standards and goals.

When developers invite local partners into the process early—especially in communities with high design expectations—they gain not just a smoother path to approval, but a more thoughtful, enduring presence in the local landscape that’s met with a warm welcome.