WDM Architects

Last week, members of the WDM team stepped out to celebrate community leadership at the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce 2026 Honors event.

Amber Michaud, Assoc. AIA, Cami Ewing, Assoc. AIA, and Stan Landwehr, AIA, joined fellow attendees for an evening highlighting the people and stories shaping Wichita. As Stan shared, “there were some inspiring stories shared by the Honorees,” a sentiment that captured the tone of the night.

For Cami, the event marked a memorable first: “I enjoyed getting out to attend a local event, as it was my first. It’s impressive to see how many people in this town are willing to come out and make connections while learning about achievements within the community.” She added that while the tornado warning added a little excitement to the evening, the highlight was “watching the videos made for all of the award recipients (… and the food we ate).”

Between reconnecting with peers, making new connections, and even snapping a photo alongside mounted Wichita Police Department officers, it was a night that reflected the strength and spirit of our community.

We’re proud to be part of a city that shows up, celebrates one another, and continues to move forward together.

At WDM, we see historic preservation and adaptive reuse as one of the most impactful sustainability strategies available—the greenest building is the one already built. Many historic buildings were also designed with climate in mind—featuring high-mass walls, strategic daylighting, and natural ventilation. At the Orpheum, we’re building on those inherent efficiencies while integrating modern systems to enhance performance for the future.

Happy Earth Day! Restoring the historic Orpheum Theatre isn’t just about preserving the past, we’re also using it as an opportunity to build a more sustainable future. This includes incorporating materials and systems such as:

✅ Fly ash used in concrete offers enhanced durability and reduces material waste, which reduces the carbon footprint.

✅ Salvaged lumber gives new life to original materials while honoring the theatre’s historic character.

✅ Energy-efficient LED lighting cuts energy use and long-term operating costs.

✅ Advanced HVAC system controls improve comfort and use energy more efficiently behind the scenes.

By blending historic preservation with smart, sustainable choices, the Orpheum Theatre restoration balances respect for history, while embracing a forward-thinking approach. Thank you to Eby Construction Company for their partnership and stewardship in these efforts and the project as a whole.

https://youtu.be/fbdZU7JWU9E?si=sChtkbND4WHGtJrM

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