Reimagining the What, Not the How
WP Engine agency partner Drexler embraces a paradigm shift that unlocks creative freedom
When it comes to building exceptional websites, the starting point shouldn’t be limitations—it should be possibilities.
That’s exactly what WP Engine’s agency partners like Baltimore-based Drexler are proving every day. Instead of starting by asking how something can be done, they begin with what can be created and why it matters.
This shift in perspective is a hallmark of Drexler’s work, fueled in large part by the agency’s longstanding partnership with WP Engine. By prioritizing the end-user experience and leveraging a platform designed to scale bold ideas, Drexler delivers digital projects that redefine what’s possible online.
“WP Engine gives us the technical foundation we need to push boundaries,” said Chris Walbert, partner at Drexler.
“It’s not just about having a reliable platform; it’s about knowing that the technology won’t hold us back from creating something truly unique.”
This belief—that technology should empower creativity, not constrain it—guides everything Drexler does, from the first brainstorming session to the final website launch.
But what does creative freedom really mean for an agency like Drexler? And how does it translate into work that truly resonates with audiences?
The philosophy of creative freedom
For Drexler, creative freedom doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it requires a strong partnership between technology and imagination.
“At Drexler, we see ourselves as storytellers, and WP Engine gives us the flexibility to bring our stories to life in ways that are interactive and memorable,” said Mike McNeive, partner at Drexler.
“It’s less about how we’re building the site and more about what we’re building—and why it matters to the end user.”
This philosophy drives Drexler’s approach, whether through interactive storytelling, innovative navigation, or scalable eCommerce solutions. By combining bold ideas with WP Engine’s tools and support, they consistently deliver experiences that push creative boundaries while maintaining technical reliability.
Creative freedom and functionality on display
From immersive experiences to innovative digital storefronts, Drexler’s portfolio highlights the perfect blend of creativity and functionality.
Each client brings unique challenges, and Drexler leverages WP Engine’s platform, tools, and agency support to craft solutions that push boundaries and deliver lasting impact.
M&T Bank Exchange
M&T Bank Exchange, a fully renovated historic venue in Baltimore’s France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, needed a website as dynamic as its events space. From galas to weddings, the venue adapts to meet the needs of every occasion, and the Drexler team translated that versatility into an interactive web experience.
Building on WP Engine’s platform, Drexler developed a site feature that allows users to explore four unique event setups showcasing different lighting and seating arrangements. This immersive design reflects the venue’s real-world adaptability and provides potential clients with a clear sense of what’s possible.
Dustin Pfeifer, partner at Drexler, summed it up best when he said, “We were able to focus on nailing the creative elements because we knew servers, security, scalability, etc. were all being handled in the background.”
Mt. Cuba Center
For Mt. Cuba Center, a botanical garden in Delaware, the challenge was creating a digital experience that could capture the beauty and serenity of the physical space. Drexler’s solution was to bring the gardens to life online through “walkable” digital tours.
“No photograph could do justice to the feeling of walking through Mt. Cuba Center,” McNeive said. “We needed to create something immersive, something that could transport people digitally. That’s where the collaboration between our creative vision and WP Engine’s tools really shined.”
Since its launch, the Mt. Cuba Center has experienced a surge, not just in web traffic, but also in visitors to the center, as well as members and advocates who are financially supporting the center’s conservation efforts.
Stillwater
Drexler’s expertise extends beyond physical spaces to include support for digital commerce. When nomadic brewing company Stillwater Artisanal sought help with its digital presence, the Drexler team designed a site that reflected the unique, inventive spirit of Stillwater’s beer concepts.
The result was a dual-purpose platform: a digital archive of past beverage creations and an eCommerce experience for current offerings.
Key features include unorthodox navigation on the homepage, which encourages users to explore in unexpected ways, and advanced animations primarily powered by CSS. A spinning globe on the “Find Our Beer” page uses three.js, while GSAP animates the site’s logo in the upper left corner.
The site was built on a highly customized WordPress and WooCommerce backend, utilizing HTML, JavaScript, PHP, and Sass. Modular custom fields extend WooCommerce product pages, enabling product content to range from minimalist single pages to rich, story-driven designs packed with imagery.
“We wanted the site to feel as unconventional and creative as Stillwater’s brand,” Walbert said. “It’s a great example of how design and development can work together to create something that challenges norms while remaining functional.”
Believe in the Run
When Believe in the Run (BITR) decided to elevate its running shoe review site into a media powerhouse, Drexler took the lead in reimagining the site.
In addition to redesigning core content, Drexler introduced “Anatomy of a Shoe,” an interactive feature that breaks down technical aspects of running shoes in a way that’s engaging and easy to understand for runners of all levels.
“The idea was to create something that helped new runners educate themselves so they can get even more from the site, in a way that is fun and approachable,” Walbert said. “It’s that mix of functionality and creativity that defines our approach to every project.”
In addition to that, Drexler developed a “Find Your Shoe” feature so visitors could take what they learned in Anatomy of a Shoe and find shoes that best fit their needs.
The results speak for themselves as BITR is reporting a 99.5% increase in traffic since launching their new digital experience from Drexler.
A foundation for innovation
These projects are all a testament to Drexler’s ability to adapt, innovate, and deliver results that exceed expectations. By pairing bold ideas with WP Engine’s scalable platform, Drexler continues to redefine what’s possible for clients across industries.
The impact of their work goes beyond websites—it’s about creating experiences that resonate, inspire, and drive tangible success.
All of this illustrates the power of collaboration between creative agencies like Drexler and technology companies like WP Engine. While WP Engine provides the tools and infrastructure needed for reliability and scalability, it’s the ingenuity of our agency partners that bring bold ideas to life.
“WP Engine isn’t the hero in these stories—we’re just the enabler,” said Miranda Pfahler, Drexler’s WP Engine Partner Account Manager.
“The creativity, strategy, and execution all come from the people behind these projects. What we do is make sure the technology never gets in the way of their vision.”
By focusing on the what and why of web design, Drexler continues to deliver experiences that are as impactful as they are inspiring.
Discover endless digital possibilities
Drexler’s body of work is proof of what can be achieved when creativity and technology come together seamlessly.
As digital experiences evolve, the opportunities to push boundaries and create something truly special will only grow. Visit Drexler to learn more about their innovative work, and visit WP Engine to learn more about our Agency Partner Program and how we can help you bring bold ideas to life.
