VHB LookBook: Institutional

Higher Education

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

© Stephen Holl

At VHB, we’re passionate about making meaningful contributions to the world through the work that we do. We’re proud, yet humbled, to have been doing this for more than 40 years. We’re a team—1,800 strong—eager to deliver value by embracing our clients’ goals, anticipating challenges, building lasting partnerships, and always providing a smooth ride.

Our passionate professionals include engineers, landscape architects, scientists, planners, and designers who partner with clients in the institutional, transportation, real estate, and energy industries, as well as federal, state, and local governments. Together, we improve mobility, enhance communities, and balance development and infrastructure needs with environmental stewardship.

John Stronach, PE

A Professional Engineer registered in the Mid-Atlantic states, John has managed and performed detailed design of multiple institutional projects across the region, including James Madison University, University of Virginia, and Christopher Newport University. His work also includes commercial, residential, and recreation development projects, traffic and transportation projects, and hydraulic modeling projects across the region. John’s experience encompasses urban roadway, site development, drainage, and stormwater management design with a focus on higher education, healthcare, and urban roadway design.

Diane Linderman, pe, pwlf, env sp

The VHB team has worked with a full array of private and public institutions set within rural to urban contexts, supporting them as they address their growth and development challenges. We’re engaged with local campuses and communities, as well as with some of the largest, most complex capital programs in the country—from master planning through design and execution.

With more than 43 years of experience in the industry, Diane’s focus on institutional urban planning involves a major emphasis in developing solutions in transportation that encompass bicycle/pedestrian improvements, corridor improvements, transit, traffic operations, traffic engineering, traffic impact, municipal/state funding for transportation, and policy. Her experience and familiarity with Virginia campuses has developed while working on multiple projects across the state. Diane has managed UVA’s Traffic and Transportation Engineering Term contract for eight years on a variety of task orders, including both the health systems and academic campuses.

Dave Gerstenmaier, pla

For over 35 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 smallsize 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.

Charlene Harper, pe, pla, leed ap

Charlene has more than 25 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.

John Carty, pe, leed ap

John is a Civil Engineer and Project Manager for institutional site development, transportation, stormwater, and utility engineering projects for private and public sector projects.

He is skilled in site planning and design, water distribution, grading, erosion and sediment control, utility connections, stormwater conveyance and discharge, and utility design.

John’s experience includes work at Blue Ridge Community College, the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Union University, Richard Bland College, Longwood University, and several other Virginia Community College System campuses.

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Andy has 16 years of experience in landscape architecture on a variety of projects including parks, athletic facilities, higher education and residential development. Andy also has a solid background in design-build projects, so he has a particular expertise in the constructibility of projects, leading to stronger designs. He worked at Kootz Bryant and owned his own firm before starting at HG in 2015.

Harley Walker

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.

From the moment Harley started at HG in 2016, he impressed clients and co-workers. His attention to detail and balance of focus that covers both technical and design aspects make him a trusted resource. After graduating from Virginia Tech in 2012, he worked for the College of Architecture’s Community Design Assistance Center for two years where he worked on a grant funded collaboration with the Kentucky Division of Forestry to create conceptual landscape plans for community parks, greenways, and streetscapes in the coal mining region of Kentucky created to petition public space grants. At HG, Harley has risen from designer to project manager on small to mid-sized projects. He has six years of landscape design experience.

Andy Sisson,

Longwood University

VHB has delivered projects for colleges and universities across Virginia, based on deep relationships and through understanding of each campus’s unique setting. One of our most valued and longstanding institutional relationships is with Longwood University. With more than 10 years working on campus and a dozen successfully completed projects, our extensive knowledge and experience bring unmatched value to continuing to achieve the University’s long-term vision for growth.

LONGWOOD EXPERIENCE

Campus Entrance Redesign

LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY (continued)

VHB provided landscape architecture for a new two-level 120,000 square foot student union. The new building is centrally-located on the Longwood University campus and includes essential connections to some of the most important campus open spaces: Wheeler Mall, Brock Commons, and Lankford Mall. The scope of the project included pedestrian circulation, ample green space for

student recreation, dedicated space for clubs and organizations, special event area for fraternity and sorority events, a cabaret venue for entertainment events, student government association meeting spaces, student lounges, administrative offices for the department of student union and activities, large meeting spaces, a centralized message center and a food service area.

Upchurch University Center

Pedestrian Gateways

In preparation for the 2016 Vice Presidential debate, Longwood University moved forward with the enhancement of the most important pedestrian corridor on the campus known as Brock Commons. The projects included a new pedestrian entryway to Brock Commons, Beale Pavilion, which is a new multiuse garden structure at the intersection of Brock Commons and Wheeler Mall. VHB was

part of an overall master planning effort to unify and improve the visual and functional aspects of the overall campus, keeping with the historic school’s formal campus and colonial architecture. In addition to the gateways, VHB led plaza improvements, streetscape upgrades, and planting designs.

LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY (continued)

LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY (continued)

New Residence Halls

Charged with the integration of two new residential buildings into a topographically challenging site, VHB 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. VHB was able to maintain an existing pedestrian corridor through the site while providing accessible routes for all students across significant changes in grade.

Tennis Complex

The Longwood University Tennis Complex project relocated the University’s existing competitive tennis courts to a new location on campus to make way for future construction. The design also increased the number of courts from five to six, bringing the school’s facilities up to Big South Conference standards.

Significant elevation differences, limited budget, and the infill nature of the proposed 2.5-acre site made the design challenging. VHB explored multiple layout options, looking for the right balance among impacts on existing parking,

the adjacent baseball field, retaining walls, conflicts with utilities, and amount of earthwork. The final design included two tiers of courts with three courts on each tier and a viewing area in the middle with a modified parking area to serve the tennis complex and adjacent baseball field.

VHB worked nimbly within the quick timeframe dictated by the tennis program and Longwood’s plans for the site of the existing courts, helping deliver the project within the tight schedule.

LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY (continued)

Joan of Arc Statue Grounds

Prior to the 2016 mock debates, Longwood transformed Brock Commons, the central pedestrian corridor running through the center of the Longwood University campus, through projects including a new pedestrian entryway; Beale Pavilion, a new, multiuse garden structure at the intersection of Brock Commons and Wheeler Mall; a new portico/entry feature to Willett Hall; the venue for the nationally televised Vice Presidential debates; and a newly commissioned sculpture (by Alexander Stoddart) of Joan of Arc, patroness of the University.

The bronze sculpture of Joan of Arc is placed on a limestone plinth and nestled in an exedra surrounded by trees and other plantings. VHB worked with the architect to create a setting that would complement the commissioned sculpture. The sculpture and surrounding plaza creates a terminus for Brock Commons. VHB developed plans and details for the plaza surrounding the sculpture and designed a landscape plan focused on creating a backdrop for the sculpture and this important pedestrian space and endpoint for Brock Commons.

LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY (continued)

University of Virginia

Civil Engineering Term Contract

Under the Civil Engineering Term Contract, VHB provides a collaborative, multidisciplinary design approach, resulting in high marks by UVA regarding our performance for dozens of projects. UVA appreciates our responsiveness and flexibility and for the Davenport Field Baseball Stadium Expansion project, we were told we “set the bar high” for quick turn-around of construction submittals and RFIs.

under construction; we were able to get approval for a crossing from CSX railroad in under a week! During construction of the Slaughter Hall Entrance Improvement project, we adapted our design to unknown field conditions during construction, which created a significant credit from the contractor.

Working as a design partner to our clients, we consider specific budget and schedule goals. For example, we recently saved the University over $200,000 by redesigning the sanitary sewer for the baseball stadium while the project is still

UVA also appreciates the innovation we bring to our projects. We are working with the Office of the Architect and the Facilities and Maintenance Office to develop a landscape assessment tool that they can use to inspect grounds and prioritize site maintenance in a similar fashion to their building inspection program.

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (continued)

School of Nursing Fontaine Resilience Garden

VHB designed a resilience garden at the School of Nursing, including schematic design through construction administration and began with discrete collaboration with stakeholders in preparation for a surprise dedication to Dorrie Fontaine. The garden consists of a bluestone walkway, boulder retaining wall, engraved paving bands, a reinforced lawn, benches, and ornamental planting. It included several free-form design elements that were difficult to communicate through drawings

such as the boulder retaining wall and the bluestone walkway. VHB provided extensive construction administration during the install to ensure these elements were built true to the design intent. The project designer personally laid-out the jagged walkway, placed the reflexology path, visited the quarry to select specimen boulders, and helped to install those boulders on-site.

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (continued)

Davenport Field

UVA’s Davenport Field project was fast-paced from design through construction, following these design phases: programing, schematic design, design development, early sitework construction documents, final sitework construction documents, bid negotiations, and construction administration. VHB worked

closely with UVA Facilities Planning and Construction, UVA Athletics, the design team, contractor, and end users to develop designs and implement construction on a site that was occupied by the owner and sports teams throughout construction.

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (continued)

School of Law Entrance Beautification

As part of our term contract with UVA, we provided civil engineering and landscape architecture services for the beautification of two entrances to the UVA School of Law. Our scope of work includes a new stair and rail, new sidewalk and curb, and repointing the brick in the FDC access area. We will also replace the screen wall

at the Slaughter Hall entrance. VHB developed a schematic site plan to include pedestrian paving, other hardscape elements including stairs and walls, site structures, and special site features.

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (continued)

VHB was tasked with studying the various pedestrian gate access points for Scott Stadium to get a better understanding of pedestrian flow and queuing movements to help streamline the security clearance process to help move fans into the stadium at a quicker pace. We were also tasked with studying the outdoor fan gathering areas to come up with ways to protect the fans from interaction with vehicular traffic. Site inventory was taken and we walked each gate entrance

with UVA staff to understand current conditions. A booklet was created with suggestions for increasing pedestrian security clearance flow as well as providing secure fan zones, along with a budget for said improvements. The University was able to use this study to secure funds for phased improvements and is currently in the process of implementing our suggestions for the 2018 football season.

Scott Stadium Security and East Gate Plaza

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (continued)

Softball Stadium

Brody Jewish Center Ivy Stacks Expansion

James Madison University

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.

Chandler Courtyard

JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY (continued)

Chandler Courtyard

Chandler Courtyard Chandler Courtyard

HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

East Campus Pedestrian Tunnel Land Bridge

VHB helped JMU solve two problems at once: what to do with leftover soil and fill materials from the Convocation Center construction site and how to achieve a desire to increase access to Jennings Hall. VHB proposed the East Campus Land Bridge, a bridge/tunnel structure over Driver Drive and East Campus Creek that would use the excess fill to help improve campus connectivity.

VHB collaborated with the project team to develop this creative, practical solution for JMU. The East Campus Land Bridge provides a crucial connection from the Skyline area to JMU’s central campus, including Paul Jennings Hall, the new 500-bed residence hall named after Paul Jennings, an enslaved African-American who served James Madison’s family. VHB provided civil, survey, environmental, and transportation planning and design services for this state-of-the-art facility that includes an exhibit on Jennings, a learning commons, large community room, and student dining.

JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY (continued)

Virgina Military Institute

VHB 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. VHB was also tasked with maximizing LEED requirements to help the project attain the desired environmental goals.

Cormack Hall and Memorial Garden

Virgina Commonwealth University

12th Street Pedestrian Plaza

For this project, VHB created a site plan for a pedestrian plaza in place of an existing street. One challenge for the project was that the plaza had to be designed to function whether or not the City of Richmond agreed to close the street and turn it over to the university. Additionally, a portion of the site is over an existing parking deck, so we have worked in close coordination with the structural engineer to develop a paving system that would satisfy the university’s design standard while working in the site constraints.

Cabell Library

For the addition to and renovation of Cabell Library at Virginia Commonwealth University, VHB was tasked with designing all new pedestrian hardscape and building entrance plazas to match the existing campus aesthetic we created on prior VCU projects, designing new planting plans and completing the site with amenities and fixtures.

VHB designed the compass rose pattern that has become a major focal point of the campus pedestrian network. For this project, we extended the hardscape of concrete and brick pavers to incorporate the new building footprint and completed the site with planting designed to augment the beauty of the campus during key points of the academic year.

We also detailed a third-floor roof terrace with planters adjacent to the library’s interior event space to allow guests to spill outside.

College of William & Mary

Muscarelle Museum of Art

VHB is providing civil engineering and landscape architecture as part of the Pelli Clark Pelli team working on this fine arts museum. VHB has completed the feasibility study portion of the project, which resulted in the decision to create a new building rather than renovate the existing one. The project is currently in the Schematic Development phase.

Memorial to the Enslaved

VHB provided landscape architecture and civil engineering services for a new Memorial to African Americans Enslaved by William & Mary. VHB designed a plaza at the memorial and a small amphitheater-like earthen mound with inset seat walls, all enclosed by a canopy of mature trees.

University of Richmond

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.

Queally Center for Admissions

VHB 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. VHB 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.

Carol Weinstein International Center

Additional Universities

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, VHB 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.

Virginia Institute of Marine Science | Davis Hall Research Facility

VHB designed an entrance that combines sustainability, stormwater as an amenity, and learning opportunities for the study program. Early in the concept phase, VHB suggested bio-retention features as an attraction for users to encounter upon entering the research facility. A bridge over a bio-retention area connects parking, sidewalk and front doors, and serves as a ‘living lab’ for science students to be educated on natural material as water filtration. VHB designed a tiered outdoor classroom down to the river, and implemented several naturalized micro stormwater management amenities and native planting around the building in place of typical landscaping.

Radford University | Entry Gateway

Higher Education Project Highlights

College of William and Mary

» Alumni House Expansion

» Crim Dell, Sorority Court, and Dorm

» Green & Gold Village Replacement

» Kaplan Arena Renovation

» Memorial Garden

» Memorial to the Enslaved

» Muscarelle Museum of Art

» Swem Library Terrace

Ferrum College

» Campus Master Plan Update

George Mason University

» Center Commons, Parking Deck, and Plazas

» Campus Master Plan

» Student Center

Germanna Community College

» Campus Master Plan

» Replace French Slaughter Building

James Madison University

» Atlantic Union Bank Convocation Center

» Carrier Arboretum Terrace & Fountain

» Chandler Courtyard

» College of Business

» Easy Campus Land Bridge

» Greek Row Charette

» Madison Hall Renovation

» President Rose House

» Sentara Park Stadium

» West Parking Deck

» Wind Farm

» YCP Playground

John Tyler Community College

» Midlothian Campus Expansion

Longwood University

» Academic Building

» Admissions Building

» Campus Entrance Redesign

» Convocation & Events Center

» Environmental Health & Safety Building

» Hull Springs Farm

» Joan of Arc Statue Grounds

» New Residence Halls

» Tennis Complex

» Upchurch University Center

» Wygal Hall Replacement

Mary Baldwin College

» Student Center Terrace

Radford University

» Intramural Field & Entry Sign

Randolph-Macon College

» Performing Arts Outdoor Plaza

» Athletic Fields Master Plan

University of Mary Washington

» Campus Master Plan

» Campus Walk

» Jepson Science Center

» Amphitheater & Accessible Path

University of North Carolina

» Charlotte Campus Master Plan

University of Virginia/ Blue Ridge Hospital

» AMIR building at Fontaine Research Park

University of Virginia

» Alderman Library Renovation

» Aquatics & Fitness Center Courtyard

» Brandon Ave Upper Class Housing

» Brody Jewish Center

» Bryan Hall Drainage Improvement

» Central Garage Storm Drain

» Clark Hall LEED EBOM

» Cocke Hall Drainage Improvements

» Crispell Drive Motorcycle Parking

» Darden Inn & Conference Center

» Darden Library Egress

» Davenport Field Expansion

» Dawson’s Row House Porch Replacement

» Drama Building Drainage Solutions

» East Range Drainage Improvements

» Elson Hall ADA Parking

» Encompass Health

» Flagler Court Patio

» Hotel C Drainage Improvements

» Ivy Corridor

» Ivy Mountain Duct Bank Extension

» Ivy Stacks Expansion

» JAG Egress Stairs

» JPA South Lawn Path

» JPJ Arena Security Study

» Klockner Drainage Study

» Lambeth Commons

» Landscape Assessment

HIGHER EDUCATION PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

University of Virginia (continued)

» Lannigan Track Resurfacing Specifications

» Lee Street Bus/Bike Shelter

» Maury Hall Drainage Improvements

» McCormick Rotunda Walkway Renovation

» Memorial Gym Basketball Courts

» Michie Hall

» Monroe Hall Egress

» Monroe Hill House Path Renovation

» Montebello Drainage Improvements

» Pavilion II Lower Garden Drainage Improvements

» Pavilion IV Garden Steps Replacement

» Pavilion V Drainage Improvement

» Pavilion VII Garden Ramp

» Peyton House Survey

» Physics Building Renovation

» Primary Care Entrance Improvements

» Randall Hall Landscape Refresh

» Robertson Hall Void Repair

» School of Law Entrance

» School of Nursing Resilience Garden

» Scott Stadium Security & East Gate Stairs

» Smith Hall

» Softball Competition Field

» Sprigg Lane House Drainage

» Temporary Athletic Village

» The Mews Historic Structure Report

» University Hall Bus Stop

» UPD Security Fence

» Softball Complex at Lambeth Field

» West Garden Walk Improvements

Virginia Commonwealth University

» 12th Street Pedestrian Plaza

» Blair House ADA Upgrades

» Broad & Grace Streetscape

» Cabell Library

» Campus Amenity Guidelines

» Engineering and Business School

» Shafer Court Dining & Pedestrian Plaza

» Cary Street Recreation Facility

» Grace Street Student Housing

» Jefferson Street Parking Deck

» Larrick Student Center

» Main Hospital 7th Floor Roof Garden

» McGlothlin Medical Education Center

» Past to Future Walk

» School of Nursing Garden

» Steam Plant Security

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

» Acuff Center for Aquaculture

» Chesapeake Bay Hall

» Davis Hall » Master Plan

Virginia Military Institute

» Aquatic Center

» Cormack Hall Renovation

» Cocke Hall Renovation & Memorial Garden

» Nichols Engineering Building

» Scott Shipp Hall Renovations

Virginia State University

» Davis Hall & Band Practice Field

» ESC & Stormwater Review Services

» Fleet’s Branch Stream Restoration Review

» M.T. Carter Building Addition

» Randolph Farm Small Farm Outreach Program High Tunnel

» Trunk Storm Drain Extension

Virginia Tech

» Data and Decision Sciences Building

» Green Links Design Guidelines

» Infinite Loop Design Guidelines

» Landscape Architecture Term Contract (with Sasaki)

» Sandy Hall, Davidson Hall & Liberal Arts Building Renovation

Wake Forest University

» Contemplative Garden

Washington and Lee University

» Belfield Estate Historic Garden Renovation

» Stemmons Plaza