Richard Wittschiebe Hand
Encyclopedia
Richard Wittschiebe Hand (RWH, formerly Richard + Wittschiebe, Hand Design Studio) is a medium-sized architecture firm based in Atlanta, Georgia
with an office in Madison, Wisconsin
. Richard Wittschiebe Hand specializes in
architecture
, interior design
, planning
, and green
/LEED
consulting. RWH focuses primarily on K-12 schools, colleges and universities, corporate and industrial office spaces, aquatic facilities, recreational and parks buildings, and fraternity houses.
, LEED AP Homes has been providing professional services since 1980 as a project designer and project manager for numerous project types and sizes. As founder of the firm, she brings a diversity of experience to the practice. In addition to her architectural experience, she has led the firm in technological advances to better serve clients. She is instrumental in providing team leadership and direction.
Janice Wittschiebe, AIA
, NCIDQ
, LEED AP has been providing professional services since 1980 as a project designer, project manager and principal for large multi-faceted projects. As a registered architect and a registered interior designer, she brings a wide range of abilities and understanding to the RWH. Key to her experience has been the management of design teams, coordination of multiple consultants, contract administration and work on ADA
-oriented projects as well as corporate responsibilities for marketing.
Peter Hand, AIA
, LEED AP
has provided professional architecture services in the southeast since 1973. As Principal of Hand Design Studio, he coordinated master planning, architecture, construction management, and interior design services for a wide range of project types. As Consulting Principal of Richard Wittschiebe Hand, Peter is responsible for working with the architectural team in the creation and development of project design. He is responsible for working closely with the team to ensure the design has integrity, simplicity and innovation and that it meets the owner’s goals and needs.
William (Bill) Polk, AIA
, LEED AP, CSI has provided professional expertise in all phases of planning, design, production and contract administration for a variety of project types, including medical facilities, education, single and multi-family housing, and institutional including kitchen and assembly design and military facilities since 1984. He is especially talented at project management, working well with owners, user groups and consultants to gain the most from prescribed budgets through creative consideration of options.
BIM
3D modeling
software on quad-core Apple MacPro workstations for architectural projects, and was one of the first firms in Atlanta to implement a BIM
design system in 1989, and the first in Atlanta to use ArchiCAD. In addition, Ross Street House, the first LEED
-Platinum home in the state of Wisconsin, was designed by RWH using entirely ArchiCAD. Richard Wittschiebe Hand emphasizes sustainability
in all of their projects, and 75% of the architectural staff are LEED
Accredited Professionals (LEED AP).
.
In 2006, the ASHRAE headquarters building in Atlanta, Georgia
underwent planning and development for the renewal of their 35000 square feet (3,251.6 m²) office building. ASHRAE hired Richard Wittschiebe Hand as the architecture firm. The finished building achieved a LEED
-Platinum rating by the USGBC
. The building renovation/addition includes a new training center, meeting and education spaces, a technical library, offices, a loading area and bulk storage.
One of the most innovative components in the building’s design is an extensive measurement and verification system that monitors and measures electricity, energy consumption, water use, and local weather conditions in real-time. This monitoring was essential to ASHRAE’s “walk the walk” theme by proving the tangible and financial benefits of green design. The data is available to national and international members through internet-based programs.
Northlake-Barbara Loar Library
, Tucker
, Georgia
, United States
The existing library space was completely renovated to create a cohesive 15,000 SF library. Library functions are reorganized to provide larger reading and stack areas, a larger children's library area, a new teen area, a new circulation desk, additional administration space, and a more functional multi-purpose community space. The building addition will reflect the ship metaphor of the existing design by extending a prow towards the parking that directs pedestrians to the entrance and creates an interior children's library space in the prow of a ship.
Bethseda Park Aquatics Center, Lawrenceville
, Georgia
Bethesda Park Aquatic Center has a leisure pool with slide and water play features for the young and an instructional pool for the young and old. The two bodies of water are separated with glass walls for noise control, but the transparency of these walls allows space and daylight. Sloping metal roofs that rise and dip according to the necessities of the space inside allow for a fluid, sculptural shaping of the building’s enclosure. Metal canopies and sunscreens enliven the facades with additional detail, while mitigating glare and heat in the common areas. The durable materials, simple forms, and clear program were developed to minimize maintenance, maximize building life, and simplify operations.
Sigma Nu Fraternity House, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
The new 12300 sq ft (1,142.7 m²) facility provides ample gathering space for the 80 brother membership, and provides housing for 48 brothers. The interiors reflect the fraternity colors including a specialty rug incorporating the Sigma Nu seal. The surfaces were designed to address all the possible wear and usage in a fraternity house. The grounds have been designed to offer an array of seating areas and recreational spaces, including a swimming pool and basketball court. The house, with its transitional modern design, reflects the new spirit of the fraternity rooted in a long history of tradition and values.
Dunwoody Community Church, Dunwoody
, Georgia
The Dunwoody Community Church addition is a new 23,700 sf, 400 seat sanctuary on a beautifully wooded site. The addition includes a baptistery and chapel that seat 30 to 40 people, a parlor, and administration area and meeting spaces below.
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
with an office in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. Richard Wittschiebe Hand specializes in
architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, interior design
Interior design
Interior design describes a group of various yet related projects that involve turning an interior space into an effective setting for the range of human activities are to take place there. An interior designer is someone who conducts such projects...
, planning
Planning
Planning in organizations and public policy is both the organizational process of creating and maintaining a plan; and the psychological process of thinking about the activities required to create a desired goal on some scale. As such, it is a fundamental property of intelligent behavior...
, and green
Sustainable design
Sustainable design is the philosophy of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability.-Intentions:The intention of sustainable design is to "eliminate negative environmental...
/LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
consulting. RWH focuses primarily on K-12 schools, colleges and universities, corporate and industrial office spaces, aquatic facilities, recreational and parks buildings, and fraternity houses.
History
Richard Wittschiebe Hand was formed in 2007 when Richard + Wittschiebe merged with Hand Design Studio (formerly Peter H. Hand and Associates, Inc.) to become Richard Wittschiebe Hand. Richard + Wittschiebe was formed by Janice Wittschiebe, AIA and Carol Richard, AIA.Partners
Carol Richard, AIAAmerican Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
, LEED AP Homes has been providing professional services since 1980 as a project designer and project manager for numerous project types and sizes. As founder of the firm, she brings a diversity of experience to the practice. In addition to her architectural experience, she has led the firm in technological advances to better serve clients. She is instrumental in providing team leadership and direction.
Janice Wittschiebe, AIA
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
, NCIDQ
NCIDQ
The National Council for Interior Design Qualification , an independent of state and provincial credentialing bodies, provides the North American public with the means to identify interior designers who have demonstrated the minimum level of competence needed to practice interior design. In...
, LEED AP has been providing professional services since 1980 as a project designer, project manager and principal for large multi-faceted projects. As a registered architect and a registered interior designer, she brings a wide range of abilities and understanding to the RWH. Key to her experience has been the management of design teams, coordination of multiple consultants, contract administration and work on ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a law that was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush, and later amended with changes effective January 1, 2009....
-oriented projects as well as corporate responsibilities for marketing.
Peter Hand, AIA
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
, LEED AP
has provided professional architecture services in the southeast since 1973. As Principal of Hand Design Studio, he coordinated master planning, architecture, construction management, and interior design services for a wide range of project types. As Consulting Principal of Richard Wittschiebe Hand, Peter is responsible for working with the architectural team in the creation and development of project design. He is responsible for working closely with the team to ensure the design has integrity, simplicity and innovation and that it meets the owner’s goals and needs.
William (Bill) Polk, AIA
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
, LEED AP, CSI has provided professional expertise in all phases of planning, design, production and contract administration for a variety of project types, including medical facilities, education, single and multi-family housing, and institutional including kitchen and assembly design and military facilities since 1984. He is especially talented at project management, working well with owners, user groups and consultants to gain the most from prescribed budgets through creative consideration of options.
Technology and Sustainable Design
RWH utilizes ArchiCADArchiCAD
ArchiCAD is an architectural BIM CAD software for Macintosh and Windows developed by the Hungarian company Graphisoft. ArchiCAD offers specialized solutions for handling all common aspects of aesthetics and engineering during the whole design process of the built environment — buildings, interiors,...
BIM
Building Information Modeling
Building information modeling is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle.BIM involves representing a design as objects – vague and undefined, generic or product-specific, solid shapes or void-space oriented , that carry their geometry, relations and attributes...
3D modeling
3D modeling
In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of object via specialized software. The product is called a 3D model...
software on quad-core Apple MacPro workstations for architectural projects, and was one of the first firms in Atlanta to implement a BIM
Building Information Modeling
Building information modeling is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle.BIM involves representing a design as objects – vague and undefined, generic or product-specific, solid shapes or void-space oriented , that carry their geometry, relations and attributes...
design system in 1989, and the first in Atlanta to use ArchiCAD. In addition, Ross Street House, the first LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
-Platinum home in the state of Wisconsin, was designed by RWH using entirely ArchiCAD. Richard Wittschiebe Hand emphasizes sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
in all of their projects, and 75% of the architectural staff are LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
Accredited Professionals (LEED AP).
Notable Projects
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Atlanta, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
.
In 2006, the ASHRAE headquarters building in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
underwent planning and development for the renewal of their 35000 square feet (3,251.6 m²) office building. ASHRAE hired Richard Wittschiebe Hand as the architecture firm. The finished building achieved a LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
-Platinum rating by the USGBC
United States Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council , co-founded by Mike Italiano, David Gottfried and Rick Fedrizzi in 1993, is a non-profit trade organization that promotes sustainability in how buildings are designed, built, and operated...
. The building renovation/addition includes a new training center, meeting and education spaces, a technical library, offices, a loading area and bulk storage.
One of the most innovative components in the building’s design is an extensive measurement and verification system that monitors and measures electricity, energy consumption, water use, and local weather conditions in real-time. This monitoring was essential to ASHRAE’s “walk the walk” theme by proving the tangible and financial benefits of green design. The data is available to national and international members through internet-based programs.
Northlake-Barbara Loar Library
DeKalb County Public Library
The DeKalb County Public Library is the public library system of DeKalb County, Georgia in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Its collection includes over 800,000 books; collections of over 400 magazines, academic and scientific journals, and newspapers; and audiovisual materials including videotapes,...
, Tucker
Tucker, Georgia
Tucker is a census-designated place in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 27,581 at the 2010 Census. Although central Tucker, also known as "Main Street Tucker", is laid out as a planned "railroad town," it has never been formally incorporated. Municipal services such as...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, United States
The existing library space was completely renovated to create a cohesive 15,000 SF library. Library functions are reorganized to provide larger reading and stack areas, a larger children's library area, a new teen area, a new circulation desk, additional administration space, and a more functional multi-purpose community space. The building addition will reflect the ship metaphor of the existing design by extending a prow towards the parking that directs pedestrians to the entrance and creates an interior children's library space in the prow of a ship.
Bethseda Park Aquatics Center, Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Lawrenceville is a city in and the county seat of Gwinnett County, Georgia, in the United States. The Census Bureau estimates the 2008 population at 29,258...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
Bethesda Park Aquatic Center has a leisure pool with slide and water play features for the young and an instructional pool for the young and old. The two bodies of water are separated with glass walls for noise control, but the transparency of these walls allows space and daylight. Sloping metal roofs that rise and dip according to the necessities of the space inside allow for a fluid, sculptural shaping of the building’s enclosure. Metal canopies and sunscreens enliven the facades with additional detail, while mitigating glare and heat in the common areas. The durable materials, simple forms, and clear program were developed to minimize maintenance, maximize building life, and simplify operations.
Sigma Nu Fraternity House, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
The new 12300 sq ft (1,142.7 m²) facility provides ample gathering space for the 80 brother membership, and provides housing for 48 brothers. The interiors reflect the fraternity colors including a specialty rug incorporating the Sigma Nu seal. The surfaces were designed to address all the possible wear and usage in a fraternity house. The grounds have been designed to offer an array of seating areas and recreational spaces, including a swimming pool and basketball court. The house, with its transitional modern design, reflects the new spirit of the fraternity rooted in a long history of tradition and values.
Dunwoody Community Church, Dunwoody
Dunwoody, Georgia
Dunwoody is a city located in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. It is a northern suburb of Atlanta. Dunwoody became incorporated as a city on December 1, 2008...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
The Dunwoody Community Church addition is a new 23,700 sf, 400 seat sanctuary on a beautifully wooded site. The addition includes a baptistery and chapel that seat 30 to 40 people, a parlor, and administration area and meeting spaces below.