The University of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL), located in Ocean Springs, is Mississippi’s designated marine laboratory and a premier center for coastal and marine research. Dedicated to scientific discovery, education, and the responsible stewardship of natural resources, GCRL advances research in coastal ecology, sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and marine technology.
CCD Architects, in collaboration with Page, developed a comprehensive 10-year master plan for the Halstead and Cedar Point campuses. The plan establishes a clear long-term vision and strategic framework to guide investment, renewal, growth, and resiliency across both sites.
Centered on strengthening the laboratory’s research and education mission, the master plan addresses the modernization of existing facilities, the integration of new buildings, enhancement of open spaces, expanded large-vessel storage, improved vehicular circulation, and resilient design strategies responsive to the floodplain and storm surge conditions inherent to the coastal setting.
The University of Southern Mississippi has selected CCD’s team to develop a comprehensive master plan for its Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses, as well as the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. Currently underway, this effort involves a thorough analysis of existing facilities to identify opportunities for renovations, expansions, and new development. We are honored to help shape USM’s vision for the future.
CCD led a nationally recognized consultant team, including Page (planning) and Neel-Schaffer (civil and mobility).
A new chapel is planned at Pinleake’s Reservoir Campus to provide a more appropriately scaled and intimate setting for smaller gatherings, such as weddings and funerals, where the larger worship center and venue spaces may feel too expansive. Designed to accommodate up to 300 guests, the chapel will also include dedicated spaces for wedding parties and family gatherings before events. Its traditional architectural style is intended to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, featuring stained glass, stone, board and batten siding, exposed trusses, steeply pitched roofs, and vaulted ceilings. Construction is set to begin this year.
In 2010 CCD teamed with Pinelake to repurpose a car dealership into a new satellite campus for the church. The campus has seen significant growth over the past decade. We are now working together to expand the campus and renovate parts of the existing church. The expansion includes a 900-seat worship center, equipping classrooms, offices, and commons. The existing worship center will be repurposed as a theater, activities room, and equipping classroom. A new commons is carved into the existing plan to seamlessly connect the new spaces with existing spaces.
The building’s exterior uses stone, stucco, metal, glass, and wood to form a contemporary composition that is appropriate for the young congregation’s worship style and interests. As part of the project, the existing building’s exterior will be renovated to compliment with the expansion.
CCD was engaged to design a memorial tower for the Gibbs-Green Memorial Plaza at Jackson State University. Gibbs-Green Plaza is named in memory of Phillip Lafayette Gibbs, 21, a junior pre-law major and James Earl Green, 17, a senior at nearby Jim Hill High School. They were killed on May 14, 1970 as Jackson police opened fire on a crowd of students at Jackson State University. The memorial tower within Gibbs Green Plaza would elevate that role by introducing a clear, legible landmark—something that is instantly recognizable on arrival and meaningful over time. The tower is conceived not simply as a vertical element, but as a symbol of remembrance. Plaques on the interior of the tower would celebrate the lives of Gibbs and Green and explain the events surrounding their deaths. Positioned to define key sightlines and pathways, the tower would provide orientation across campus, acting as a “you are here” marker for visitors and a familiar beacon for students and alumni.
In Clinton, Copiah Bank acquired a former branch vacated by a competing institution and transformed it into a modern, welcoming banking facility. Working closely with the client, we revitalized the dated structure into a contemporary environment that reflects Copiah Bank’s brand and commitment to customer service.
The exterior design builds upon architectural standards established through our previous collaborations, featuring a sophisticated palette of white painted brick, dark bronze accents, and cypress timbers. Inside, the design emphasizes a modern banking experience, with a sleek layout and durable materials complemented by a fresh mix of colors and textures that create an inviting and efficient space for both customers and staff.
As the first phase of the Clinton Parks Master Plan, new additions were completed at Towne Park and Traceway Park. This phase included multiple building projects, featuring eight pickleball courts, restrooms, concessions stand, and an open-air pavilion.
The buildings employ a flexible kit-of-parts design, allowing the City to efficiently replicate and expand components at additional park sites using the design language established in this initial phase. Together, these projects introduced a standardized material palette for future park improvements, including brick, a coordinated roofing selection, and a heavy timber structural system with exposed joinery for the pavilion, reinforcing a cohesive and enduring architectural identity across Clinton’s park system.
The Knights and Daughters of Tabor, an African American fraternal order, hired Canizaro Cawthon Davis to design the renovation for the historic Taborian Hospital, constructed in 1928. The 11,000 SF building is an important historic element of Mound Bayou, MS. Closed in 1983, the building had suffered from the elements, with the roof collapsing in parts of the building. CCD worked with the Knights and Daughters of Tabor and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to revive the building, with one half the building being used as a modern health clinic and the other half shelled out for future office uses. The exterior was restored to its historic appearance. The interior had suffered extensive damage and has been rebuilt entirely with durable materials in the clinic.
The City of Kosciusko has entrusted CCD with the exciting task of re-envisioning three of its cherished parks: Hugh Ellard, Aponang, and Northside Parks. This transformative masterplan focuses on enhancing accessibility, community engagement, and recreational opportunities. At Hugh Ellard Park, the design centers on a more vibrant, user-friendly experience with centralized concession and restroom facilities, a shared covered pavilion, shaded grandstands, and four upgraded baseball fields. Additional improvements include expanded parking, a new playground, and revitalization of the existing ball field. The design draws inspiration from the surrounding parks and local architecture to create a harmonious blend of function and aesthetics. At Northside and Aponang Parks, the vision includes expanded parking and revitalized basketball courts, ensuring a more dynamic and accessible outdoor experience for all.
In collaboration with the LeFleur’s East Foundation, a vision has been set for a new tennis center to replace the existing facility at Parham Bridges Park. Designed to reflect the midcentury modern style of the nearby neighborhoods, the building’s standout feature is its expansive front porch. This shaded porch will offer a comfortable gathering space for players and spectators, especially on tournament days. Inside, the tennis center will house a pro shop, restrooms, and a café, creating a welcoming and fully equipped hub for the tennis community.
