Virginia Capitol Square, Richmond VA

For Virginia Department of General Services

Heritage Landscapes served as preservation landscape architect guiding rehabilitation of the 16-acre Capitol Square as part of an interdisciplinary team. After conducting research to inform landscape preservation and integration of new site program, we prepared schematic, design development and construction documents, integrating the underground addition.  Our work included:

  • Employ landscape documentation to preserve extant details
  • Recapture historic character while achieving multiple project goals
  • Provide sustainable design- preserve soils, trees, add green roof, reuse materials
  • Coordinate with team members on construction details and costs
  • Achieve multiple approvals for new inaugural plaza, Bank Street entry, central stairs, etc.
  • Prepare construction documents, provide construction administration

The landscape work healed excavations within the historic square, met client goals for a more ceremonial and distinguished setting for the Virginia Capitol and achieved a completed project in early 2007 to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

WORKS:

Virginia Capitol Restoration and Capital Square Rehabilitation, 2003-2007

TEAM:

Heritage Landscapes, Landscape Architect;George Skarmeas, FAIA, PDP Architects, formerly RMJM Hillier, lead; SILMAN Structural Engineers, Draper Aiden Co., BCWH Architects, Loring Engineers,SteffyLighting, URS Corporation.

QUOTES:

A true collaborator and the ‘voice of the site,’ the participation of Heritage Landscapes and Patricia O’Donnell’s clarity of thought were the leading contributors to the immensely successful renovated Virginia Capitol Square, one of Richmond’s premier cultural landscapes and shared public resources.” George Skarmeas, PhD, FAIA, PDP Architects