WER designed a new headquarters for Arkansas Virtual Academy Public Charter School (ARVA), the first online public charter school in the state of Arkansas serving more than 3,000 virtual students statewide. Located along historic 7th Street in downtown Little Rock, the project transformed a circa-1940s building into a modern, flexible headquarters that supports the school’s administrative operations while providing meaningful opportunities for students, teachers, and families to connect in person.

The two-story building includes a mezzanine between the first and second floors, creating a distinctive interior volume and a variety of spaces for staff and student use. WER renovated the first floor and mezzanine to accommodate ARVA’s current operational needs, while the third floor was left as a shell to provide flexibility for future expansion or potential lease space. This phased approach allows the facility to adapt as the school continues to grow and its needs evolve.

The headquarters provides dedicated space for administrative staff while incorporating a variety of educational and collaborative environments. One-on-one tutoring areas, group study spaces, special project rooms, standardized testing areas, and teacher training facilities support the unique academic model of a statewide virtual school. Flexible spaces also accommodate special events and gatherings, creating opportunities for students, educators, and families to engage with the school community beyond the virtual classroom.

The adaptive reuse of the existing downtown building allowed ARVA to establish a prominent physical presence while contributing to the continued revitalization of the historic 7th Street corridor. Careful planning balanced the character of the existing structure with the technology, flexibility, and functionality required by a modern virtual education organization.