design studio
HG’s foundation is in creative problem solvers that employ a collaborative crossdiscipline approach to ensure strong solutions for our clients. In our decades of design in Virginia, we have amassed a vast portfolio of work in all sectors, including healthcare, academic projects, residential, municipal, and private and public development.
design studio
Based in Richmond, VA, HG Design Studio is a civil engineering, land planning and landscape architecture firm with a rich history in the Commonwealth. From our humble beginnings more than 60 years ago to our modern day position as an industry leader, one thing hasn’t changed - our commitment to providing beautiful, functional, affordable design. Today, HG Design Studio creates remarkable site designs through a process that combines the best of landscape architecture and civil engineering. This unique synthesis of skillsets allows us to bridge the gap between design and construction. Our clients count on us to not only comply with the regulations for stormwater drainage, but to also take it a step further and create attractive, sustainable landscape design. Whether you need us to start from scratch or improve upon your existing plans, HG Design Studio has the reputation and experience to deliver exceptional work.
Dave Gerstenmaier, PLA President and Director of Design For over 30 years, Dave has accumulated an extensive and award-winning portfolio in landscape architectural design and land planning in Virginia. He started his own firm in 1991, and built a reputation for effective project delivery balancing cost, time, and quality design. In 2000, he took the helm of H&G Landscape Architects in Richmond and catapulted the firm into the preeminent landscape architectural and land planning firm in the region. Clients appreciate Dave’s passion and responsiveness resulting from the small-size firm mindset, but creative ingenuity usually characteristic of a metropolitan practice that has distinguished the firm’s work. Through Dave’s creative land planning, and design of the courtyards and grounds at Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center, the campus was designated “America’s Most Beautiful Hospital,” and in that same year, Dave was the recipient of The Ohio State University Knowlton School of Architecture Impact Award for Landscape Architecture. Dave currently oversees all of our campus projects including Virginia Commonwealth University. HG has been a part of the design for virtually every project outside the skin of the buildings at VCU for the last 20 years, a.k.a the Schools of Business, Engineering, and Nursing, the Shafer Court Dining Center, the Cary Street Gym Renovation, a Grounds Management Assessment, and most recently the Cabell Library renovation. Most recently, we were awarded the VCU Center for Advanced Logistics in Prince George County, and design will begin this year.
Charlene Harper, PE, LEED AP Director of Engineering and Design Partner Charlene has more than 20 years of experience in the fields of water resources and site development specializing in low impact development and innovative stormwater treatment designs, stormwater concepts for federal projects, and compliance strategies for MS-4 and industrial stormwater permit programs. Her work focuses on the reduction of environmental impacts due to the built environment both during and post-construction, as well as identifying opportunities for water quality and flood control retrofits. Charlene is an expert in the design and installation oversight of innovative stormwater treatment techniques such as green roofs, cisterns, permeable pavements, submerged gravel wetlands, and bioretention cells in addition to traditional treatment practices such as filters and basins. She has managed significant contracts for both public and private sector clients, using a collaborative project approach and management style. Charlene currently oversees our Civil Engineering Term Contract at the University of Virginia. HG was awarded a term contract with the University of Virginia in March of this year. Our responsiveness, reasonable fees, and quality work products have quickly made us a highly valued consultant to the University. The highest compliment a client can give us is to recommend us to others; University personnel have been recommending us a good partner to their other consultants, the University of Virginia Foundation, and to outside architects.
Robbie Roach, PLA, LEED AP BD+C Landscape Architect Robbie has over 9 years of experience working on all types of landscape architecture projects including healthcare, academic buildings, hospitality, residential design, campus planning, parks and trails. Since joining HG in 2014, Robbie has been a large part of our higher education team and has put his considerable artistic talents to use helping clients envision their completed projects in the form of illustrative plans and sketches. He has experience in all phases of design, including LEED project submittals and forest conservation plans to accompany final project documentation. Current Campus Projects: • Longwood University, New Residence Halls • University of Richmond, Queally Center for Admissions • College of William & Mary, Virginia Institute for Marine Science
Andy Sisson, PLA Landscape Architect Andy recently joined HG, bringing with him 12 years of experience in landscape architecture on a variety of projects including higher education, parks, athletic facilities and residential development. Andy also has a solid background in design-build projects, so he has a particular expertise in the constructability of projects, leading to stronger designs. Current Campus Projects: • Longwood University, High Street Gateway • University of Virginia, Lambeth Apartments Courtyard • University of Mary Washington, Amphitheater Renovation
Rick Gorrell, PLA Landscape Architect and Senior Associate Ricky has recently re-joined HG after working at an architecture firm and brings his considerable experience back to our team. In his 37 years’ experience as a landscape architect, Ricky has worked on private and public projects ranging from corporate headquarters to county libraries to large-scale residential estates. With a particular expertise in the areas of masterplanning, commercial development, and residential design, Ricky’s ability to see the big picture combined with his eye for detail serves him well on a range of projects in academic,healthcare, municipal and private sectors. Current Campus Projects: • James Madison University, Chandler Courtyard Renovation • University of Richmond, Robins Stadium • Virginia Tech, Sandy Hall and Davidson Hall Renovations
College of William & Mary, Crim Dell Bridge
University of Richmond, Queally Center for Admissions HG was involved with the coordination of siting the UR Admissions Center building, which proved to be a challenging exercise. This now beautiful corner lot was previously a dump site, sitting against a rocky hillside slope. HG designed the Front Entry Approach and Entry Plaza, lined with benches and ornamental trees, which guides you from UR Drive towards the main entry tower paved with bluestone. We also designed the West Courtyard, with the goal in mind that it will serve as an outdoor “room.� Significant design elements in this courtyard include the bluestone paved walkways, brick and low fountain seat walls, as well as elevated hornbeam hedges that are situated behind the fountain to provide a beautiful green backdrop.
LOCATION Harrisonburg, VA CLIENT James Madison University DATES Start: 2010 Completion: 2012 CONSTRUCTION COST $775,000 DISCIPLINES Site Design Landscape Architecture TEAM David Gerstenmaier, PLA
James Madison University, Chandler Courtyard Renovation Sustainability and stormwater management were the driving forces behind the Chandler Courtyard project. A busy 40-year-old crumbling concrete courtyard surrounded by three dormitories and an academic building was redesigned to reduce impervious area and add green space. The design ties together the adjacent buildings with a series of open green spaces and intimate seating configurations. The pre-development impervious surface area of the courtyard was decreased by a quarter of an acre and an overall storm-water management strategy was incorporated. Stormwater runoff headed for the lake was reduced in quantity and improved in quality through the use of bio-retention areas. The bio-filtration planters manage stormwater on-site and provide lush gardens in the middle of the courtyard. The courtyard was also designed to accommodate the circulation needs of the student dorm population. Beach volleyball and an outdoor dining terrace with a view of the lake are popular features within the space.
Longwood University, High Street Gateway HG is currently working with the team architects on designs for several gateways to Longwood University. The materials and design are in keeping with the historic school’s formal campus and colonial architecture. In addition to the gateways, we are leading plaza improvements, streetscape upgrades and planting designs in preparation for the Vice Presidential Debate to be held at the University in late 2016. LOCATION Farmville, VA OWNER Longwood University ARCHITECT Thompson & Litton Franck & Lohsen DATES Start: 2015 Completion: in design DISCIPLINES Landscape Architecture TEAM David Gerstenmaier, PLA Robbie Roach, PLA, LEEDŽ AP
Longwood University, New Residence Halls Charged with the integration of two new residential buildings into a topographically challenging site, HG created a design that uses brick-clad retaining walls, a gentle grassy hillside, and bosques of ornamental flowering trees around a Central Lawn that serves as both an elegant face of the university and a space for active and passive student recreation. The design team worked closely with both the Longwood Real Estate Foundation and Longwood University staff to reconfigure an earlier site design to coordinate more closely with the overall campus master plan currently under development. HG was able to maintain an existing pedestrian corridor through the site while providing accessible routes for all students across significant changes in grade.
LOCATION Farmville, VA CLIENT Longwood University ARCHITECT Franck & Lohsen Little DATES Start: 2014 Completion: in design DISCIPLINES Landscape Architecture TEAM Robbie Roach, PLA, LEED AP
Radford University, Entry Gateway
This project has two main facets: the creation of an entry gateway at the campus edge and the development of a sports facility on a brownfield. The university had no entry monument marking the edge on the north side of the campus and we developed a design that created an elegant entry marker, which also doubles as a green space and flexible gathering space. Following the demolition of an existing factory, HG suggested retaining the existing concrete flooring and installing synthetic turf over it rather than go to the expense of removing it. This was a substantial cost savings and was environmentally preferable. Other elements of the project included design of pedestrian circulation, hardscape, planting design, and the exteriors surrounding the baseball/softball clubhouse.
Radford University, Intramural Field
Virginia Commonwealth University, Schools of Business and Engineering LOCATION Richmond, VA OWNER Virginia Commonwealth University ARCHITECT Moseley Architects DATES Start: 2004 Completion: 2008 DISCIPLINES Landscape Architecture TEAM David Gerstenmaier, PLA
For the new Business School and second phase of the Engineering School at Virginia Commonwealth University, HG created schematic designs through construction drawings and specifications for all landscape and streetscape elements, pedestrian hardscape, site furnishings and irrigation, following the requirements of the BCOM submittal process.
Virginia Commonwealth University Streetscapes
University of Richmond, Carol Weinstein International Center For this project, we managed the design of the courtyard fountain as well as the design and construction of the adjacent outdoor classroom and chalkboard wall. We designed the surrounding plantings to complement the beauty of this campus, which is well-known for its elegant brick buildings and traditional park-like beauty. Featured in “Green Building & Design” Magazine, this project was the first LEED (Gold) building in central Virginia. We have a longstanding relationship with the University of Richmond, spanning over two decades. LOCATION Richmond, VA CLIENT University of Richmond ARCHITECT Glavé & Holmes DATES Start: 2007 Completion: 2010 CONSTRUCTION COST $16.7 M DISCIPLINES Landscape Architecture TEAM David Gerstenmaier, PLA
University of Richmond, Robins Stadium Robins Stadium is a multi-sport venue designed to be pedestrian-friendly and blend in with the traditional features of this historical campus. HG created a site plan that complemented the existing topography and surrounding vegetation. We designed patio spaces, athletic components including the long jump and triple jump facilities, site amenities, retaining walls, planting and parking all with an eye to preserving the timeless gothic features that are characteristic of this institution. A major focus of our work was protecting the large existing white oak tree very close to the new spectator grandstand and plaza area. We designed a permeable paver plaza that will give permanent protection to the roots allowing this ancient tree to be a part of the campus for years to come. This project achieved LEED Silver certification.
LOCATION Richmond, VA CLIENT University of Richmond ARCHITECT BCWH DATES Start: 2008 Completion: 2010 CONSTRUCTION COST $28 M DISCIPLINES Landscape Architecture
Virginia Military Institute, Cormack Hall and Memorial Garden HG developed a hardscape improvement plan, landscape planting plan, lighting and irrigation plans for the grounds renovation surrounding Cormack Hall. We also reconfigured the garden to the northeast of the building to include a formal memorial archway, which we designed out of stone to complement the historic campus. We enhanced and refreshed the existing plants with formal, symmetrical plantings to complete the landscape which is watered with harvested water collected in two underground cisterns hidden under the formal lawn. HG was also tasked with maximizing LEED requirements to help the project attain the desired environmental goals. LOCATION Lexington, VA CLIENT Virginia Military Institute ARCHITECT Baskervill DATES Start: 2012 Completion: 2016 Est. DISCIPLINES Site Design Landscape Architecture TEAM David Gerstenmaier, PLA
Virginia Tech, Academic Buildings Renovation Currently in-progress, this project focuses on exterior design and historical context for the renovation of 3 academic buildings on the campus. Scope includes the development of a site plan for each of the 3 buildings, to include new or modified pedestrian paving, fire access reconfigured to respond to the new additions, walls or other hardscape elements, landscape elements relative to a flood wall, planting design and plant protection guidelines, all within the context of preserving the campus’s traditional appearance. Detail services comprise grading design at each building; site lighting design; review of site security and signage elements; layout and generic material selection of pedestrian pavements; design of steps, bollards, curbs, headers, rails, fences, walls, and related site elements not connected to the architectural structure; creation of a grading plan for pedestrian hardscape as well as planted areas; species selection, including a tree evaluation; and layout of site furniture including plant pots, trash receptacles, benches, or other fixtures. LOCATION Blacksburg, VA CLIENT Virginia Tech ARCHITECT Glavé & Holmes DATES Start: 2013 Completion: In Construction CONSTRUCTION COST $17.8 M Estimated DISCIPLINES Landscape Architecture TEAM David Gerstenmaier, PLA Robbie Roach, PLA, LEED® AP
Washington and Lee University, Stemmons Plaza Campus facilities staff consider this area of the campus underutilized as a pass through crosswalk. HG was tasked with preparing a schematic study to engage students between main academic buildings and the campus library. We were brought in to assist with placemaking and the creation of landmarks along the path. In addition, our designs considered the heirarchy of campus intersections, the university’s desire to protect an existing speciment tree, and upgrades necessary for fire truck access. Components of HG’s collaborative study and design included pedestrian-friendly features, seating areas, fountains and statuary. LOCATION Lexington, VA CLIENT Washington & Lee University DATES Start: 2013 Completion: 2013 DISCIPLINES Master Planning Landscape Architecture TEAM Dave Gerstenmaier, PLA
design studio 5701 Grove Avenue Richmond, VA 23226Â www.1hg.net