Visitor Center Pavilion

Wiley|Wilson provided architectural and engineering design services for the renovation of the historic Nansemond County Courthouse, transforming the 1837 building into the Suffolk Visitors Center, which opened in 2010.

Following this work, Wiley|Wilson was selected to design an open-air pavilion on the rear lawn of the visitors center. The pavilion will house the farmers’ market and other community activities such as the Grand Illumination during the holiday season.

The cross-shaped pavilion is 2,600 square feet and is architecturally compatible with the visitors center’s rear addition. Site improvements encourage pedestrian flow and gathering while enhancing the aesthetics of the site.

Additionally, we were asked to provide concept design for site exhibits and site improvements at the Pavilion. The purpose of Phase I of the project was to develop animal sculpture/educational signage options, information booth/concession stand concepts, and site plan concepts incorporating those features with the existing site.