History

Sixty years ago a man set out with a vision. He saw the world in metes and bounds and used his insights into the physical layout of our earth to single handedly start what has grown into a full service multi-disciplined design firm. That man, Wilfred P. Large, stuck with his vision and, through diligent hard work and character, kept his dream alive through the toughest of times. His creed of ambition, quality and success resonates throughout the 25+ employees here at WPL today. It can be seen in the planning, layouts and designs of municipal and institutional projects, local corridor and roadway projects, the accuracy of topographic surveys, and all the way to the detail given to a residential mortgage survey. At WPL we stand behind our work, just like Wilfred P. Large stood behind his dream.

OUR FOUNDER

We believe every site is unique thus we tailor our approach accordingly. We go the extra mile, not many do.

– Wilfred P. Large

MISSION

As deeply rooted members of the community, WPL pledges to be responsive, accountable, and dependable to the people and places around us. We are committed to lasting relationships. Synthesizing innovation, sustainability, and aesthetics into creative environments reveals the quality inherent in our designs. With our diversity of people and services, we hold a measure on the past and a vision for the future. We are designing for land and life. This work is our passion and our legacy.

PHILOSOPHY

We provide a fully integrated “green” approach to the design process. Our sustainable philosophy combines art and science, resulting in the development of new and innovative concepts, which are then engineered to function in an efficient and cost effective manner. We take great pride in our old fashioned work ethic and apply it to improving the design and implementation process. The benefits to our clients include creative design and quality service, tailored to their needs.

PROMISE

It is the policy of the Board of Directors of W.P. Large, Inc t/a WPL to provide the highest quality of consulting service in the practice of Site Engineering, Land Surveying and Landscape Architecture as defined by Section 54-1 of the Code of Virginia. Our mission is to serve all qualified clients in an equal and fair manner to ensure that the fullest intent of a client’s project is achieved.

Our Timeline

1960

Physical surveys and construction layouts were the bread and butter for Wilfred P. Large when he first started his land surveying business in 1960. With one employee for many years, William “Buddy” Pritchard, the two worked mainly for mortgage companies and performed well and on time out of a tiny office in Monticello Arcade.

1960

1965

Within five years, their reputation grew and so did their workload which prompted them to move to a large office still within Monticello Arcade in downtown Norfolk, located strategically across the street from the then Norfolk City Hall. As the firm expanded so did their ability to take on larger projects. The firm was known for their speed and service. It is what set them apart from their competitors.

1965

1975

In 1975, Wilfred relocated the firm to Virginia Beach where the addition of site engineering was integrated to the practice. Wilfred’s son, Lance Large had graduated from Virginia Tech with a site engineering degree and was eager to grow the discipline at the family company.

1975

2000

Landscape Architectural services were added in 2000 with the addition of William “Billy” Almond. Lance saw the importance of the interface between site engineering and landscape architectural services on any given project, so Billy was hired to start up the landscape architecture practice.

2000

2020

Since the integration of the three disciplines, the small SWaM firm has made a big impact around the Hampton Roads community. With a modest beginning as a land surveying company in 1960, today there are few places WPL has not already been or a site they have not touched. WPL works to ensure that the surrounding communities have what they need to grow and prosper, planning places where people live, work, shop, and play by improving community development and transportation systems, with a distinct focus of preserving the environment.

2020