Located in the heart of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Atlantic Park is a mixed-use development that brings together surf culture, entertainment, retail, hospitality, residences, and office space across four city blocks. Backed by Virginia Beach native, musician Pharrell Williams, the project is centered around a 2.67-acre surf lagoon designed to recreate authentic ocean waves and establish a new destination for the East Coast surfing community.
Currently under construction, the surf building serves as the primary arrival point for visitors and includes retail space, a lifeguard station, and guest amenities. As one of the first architectural elements visitors encounter, the building’s material palette plays an important role in establishing the identity of the development.
The surf building features more than 21,000 square feet of acetylated modified wood by RESAWN, selected for its durability, dimensional stability, and suitability for the demanding coastal environment. Three custom finishes were developed to support the project’s architectural vision while delivering long-term exterior performance.
To accommodate the building’s curved geometry, the cladding was designed using a shiplap profile, allowing the façade to follow the structure’s form while maintaining clean, consistent lines. Accoya®’s modified wood technology, combined with its FSC® certification, made it a strong fit for the project’s performance and sustainability objectives.
The project began following a virtual CEU presentation delivered by a RESAWN Specification Consultant, leading to collaboration with the design team at Cooper Carry, Hanbury, and Gensler. Throughout the specification process, RESAWN provided a wide range of product samples, including custom finish options, to evaluate aesthetics and performance.
Three full-scale field mockups were installed on site to validate material appearance, weathering, and installation methods before construction progressed. RESAWN also provided technical guidance on cladding profiles, installation detailing, fastening recommendations, and rainscreen assemblies to support the project’s curved façade.
To align with the construction schedule, materials were delivered in multiple phases, with ongoing coordination between RESAWN’s specification, technical, project management, and production teams throughout the installation process.
Construction is actively progressing, with phased material deliveries and exterior cladding installation continuing as Atlantic Park takes shape as a new destination on the Virginia Beach waterfront.
