design studio
At HG, our landscape architects and civil engineers work side by side, combining aesthetic sensibility with technical acumen, which creates attractive yet functional solutions for your external built environment. Our design philosophy is that site design should perform required functions without distracting from the aesthetics of the buildings they serve.
design studio
HG intentionally maintains a small firm culture, even though we routinely compete on projects with much larger firms. We have found that clients prefer to work with the same senior staff that appeared on the submittal and attend the interview. We are keen on customer service and invite you to call the owners/partners whenever necessary. This way, we maintain relationships…over 80% of our clientele is repeat business. We have active projects in Virginia from Blacksburg to Virginia Beach, and D.C to South Boston.
DAVE GERSTENMAIER, PLA Founding Partner 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.
CHARLENE HARPER, PE, PLA, LEED AP Senior Partner and Director of Engineering 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.
RANDY BILTZ, PLA Partner and Director of Project Management Randy is dedicated to combining practical design solutions with real world sensibilities. With almost twenty years of experience in the industry, Randy is astutely aware of the constructibility of a design, and how to minimize a client’s expense without sacrificing a project’s delivery. He is a graduate of the Davis School of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design at West Virginia University, and at HG, he has excelled at getting the job done right, within budget and on time. Randy’s plain-spoken but knowledgeable manner resonates with both the commercial and residential client, and he has achieved the rare skill set of designing and managing projects from the very small, like a landscape plan, to the sizable, like a large mixed-use development with varied amenities, and every variable in-between.
CAPITAL ONE WEST CREEK CAMPUS HG Design Studio was contracted to perform Civil Engineering and Landscape Architecture for a series of projects for this private campus, incorporating two new buildings, extensive outdoor amenities, green space, and a second parking deck. Emphasis was placed on collaborative outdoor green space, pedestrian connectivity and environmentally responsible campus features. A complex and sleek entry fountain and plaza design was vital to the clients desire to attract top talent, as well as views and connections to and from other buildings. The centrally located meadow and stormwater management combination provides most common vista from each building. A pedestrian bridge designed by HG spans stormwater rain garden filtration system. HG navigated topography with a series of steps and a ramp system designed by HG, as well as an intricate native plant plan to tie the campus into the surrounding natural area. Client project schedule required diligence and internal planning to devote proper resources and priority to design and construction, as well as knowledge based construction administration. Other Civil Engineer and Landscape Architecture projects include the following: The Commons Outdoor Terrace: This project required high quality design and extensive construction administration. Dave worked directly with the client and Leo A Daly, an architecture firm out of Nebraska, on this project. The Den Renovation: HG collaborated with HLW Architects out of New York City to incorporate a new entry access and building extension between campus Buildings 5 and 6. Both Civil and Landscape Architecture services were offered. HG ensured that a continuity of the campus design standards were incorporated into the renovation project. Thoughtful consideration of new bike and pedestrian circulation, planting design and utility reconfigurations were all part of the final design. Town Center Refresh: An office campus facility expansion, HG worked with Gensler and their Schematic Design to deliver this project’s Design Development and CD’s for civil/landscape within one month’s turnaround. HG had to consider impact on existing utility ducts, grading and drainage, hardscape and landscape design. West Creek Village: Seeking a rare LEED-NC certification for a private owner, HG engaged in design and expansion of the site green space and amenities requiring integration with existing facilities, pedestrian connections, courtyard and garden, upper and lower patios, lighting, concrete ramp, retaining walls and metal handrails. HG partnered with architecture firm SMBW with substantial design completion in February 2017.
CAPITAL ONE WEST CREEK CAMPUS
CAPITAL ONE WEST CREEK CAMPUS
CAPITAL ONE WEST CREEK CAMPUS
LOCATION Richmond, VA CLIENT New Market Corporation ARCHITECT MSTSD CONSTRUCTION COST $30 M DATES Start: 2000 Completion: 2006 DISCIPLINES Landscape Architecture TEAM David Gerstenmaier, PLA
COSTAR HEADQUARTERS As one of only three buildings in the United States to receive the highest Green Globes rating of four globes from the Green Building Initiative, the MeadWestVaco headquarters building at Foundry Park reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability. The project includes sustainable landscape strategies such as intensive and extensive vegetative roofs, drip irrigation, native plants, and light colored paving. The design team was faced with the challenge of creating an entrance plaza on top of the underground parking structure. The solution was to reduce the amount of hardscape by introducing intensive and semi intensive vegetative roof gardens. These roof gardens continue onto the roof terrace where an extensive vegetative roof is the foreground for panoramic views of the James River. The building sits on a site that slopes more than thirty feet towards the river. The landscape architects worked closely with the architect to create parallel stairs inside and outside the building that lead from the lobby level to the cafeteria and dining terrace and then down to the fitness center at street level. The dining terrace is terraced into the hillside with stone walls that are partially constructed of stone that was salvaged from the site. The curved edges are in contrast to the straight lines of the building and are a reminder of the Kanawha canal which used to cross a portion of the site. The hillside is planted with a mix of native plants including Switchgrass, River Birch, Sycamores, Serviceberry and Dogwood.
COSTAR HEADQUARTERS
INNSBROOK OFFICE PARK Competition for corporate talent has increased, so when Highwoods Properties, purveyors of much of Innsbrook Office Park, decided to refresh and refurbish dated spaces, they contacted HG Design Studio to create sophisticated outdoor amenities that appeal and attract discriminating tenants. First in order was the aged signage at the corner of Cox Road and West Broad Street. HG sited a new sign concept and provided grading to elevate the sign in the median. By providing a 3D study of the intersection for future sign accent walls, the client was able to better express their entry vision. After completing base concept and planting plan, we coordinated with sign installer, irrigation, lighting and planting contractors to deliver the product. Phase two of the restoration consisted of creating an outdoor terrace plan for a 3,000 square foot rear deck at one of the office buildings in the park. (Approx. $350,000) Schematics and construction documents were prepared by HG, and we coordinated a structural review. Updated planting and enhanced pedestrian lighting were implemented, and were connected to existing trail system. The client then asked us to reconfigure the front entry drop off and add a plaza to complement the lobby renovation. Front entry area to be completed in Fall 2017. Highwoods II and the Saxon Building were part of the next phase of design updates. HG was tasked with renovating the entry and providing a parking study. A schematic study to renovate the main entry exterior into an urban plaza was an additional project for the client. As a result of working on time and budget with Highwoods, HG was referred to longtime tenant Markel, where we were commissioned to renovated the back amphitheater terrace to a more useable space that included an IPE deck and cable handrail. HG’s design provided more useable square footage to the rear terrace of the building by adding a floating deck over an existing sloped hillside. Updated planting and connections to the existing lakeside walk were instituted.
INNSBROOK OFFICE PARK
HANDCRAFT CLEANERS REDEVELOPMENT For the redevelopment of the 87,000 square foot HandCraft Cleaners building in the new Scott’s Addition neighborhood, HG Design Studio developed a landscape plan to show trees, shrubs to meet required screening, interior parking planting, tree coverage and buffering. We also created a schematic lighting plan to show fixture types, placement and photometrics. The Nichols brothers have been working to convert the former dry cleaning and industrial cleaning facility into a multi-tenant commercial space. New tenants include Vasen Brewing Co, The Fahrenheit Group, and the Virginia Council of CEOs.
LOCATION Richmond, VA CLIENT Divaris Real Estate DATES Start: 2016 Completion: 2018 DISCIPLINES Landscape Architecture TEAM Dave Gerstenmaier, PLA
THE CARITAS CENTER The CARITAS Center project involves the renovation of the existing buildings located off of Everett Street in the Manchester Canal watershed. HG Design Studio is providing Civil Engineering and Landscape Architecture services for our client, SWA Construction. HG will complete a topographic survey to supplement the Alta survey which will include topography, finished floor elevations and as built information on the exterior storm/sanitary sewer system. We will also establish parking and loading requirements and develop a schematic site plan to include vehicular paving, pedestrian paving, and other hardscape and landscape elements. LOCATION Richmond, VA ARCHITECT Walter Parks Architect DATES Start: 2016 Completion: Under construction DISCIPLINES Civil Engineering Landscape Architecture TEAM Charlene Harper, PE, PLA Dave Gerstenmaier, PLA Charley Sessoms, PE
ANTHEM INSURANCE HEADQUARTERS ROOFTOP COURTYARD
ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL HEALING & ROOFTOP GARDEN
There are several elements incorporated in this design which should improve the quality of work life for Anthem employees including group seating areas, curved pathways for strolling, raised garden beds, outdoor dining, an event lawn, spaces for games such as cornhole, and a contemplative corner with water feature.
This hospital in Green Bay, Wisconsin is described in “Healthcare Design” magazine as the “crown jewel” of Previa’s many environmentally sustainable endeavors. HG designed the new entrance, an infusion garden for cancer patients. and a 22,000 sq.ft. roof garden. With 16,000 sq.ft. of living plants, the roof garden grows sedum and alum, and boasts visual and environmental appeal.
ST. JOHNS HOSPITAL GREEN ROOF
COSTAR HEADQUARTERS GREEN ROOF
Located in Springfield, Illinois, St. John’s is part of the Hospital Sisters Health System. HG provided landscape architecture for an expansion project that included a green roof design on the top floor of a new parking structure.
This project included sustainable landscape strategies such as vegetative roofs, drip irrigation, native plants, and light colored paving. The design team was faced with the challenge of creating an entrance plaza on top of the underground parking structure. The solution was to reduce the amount of hardscape by introducing vegetative roof gardens. These roof gardens continue onto the roof terrace where an extensive vegetative roof is the foreground for panoramic views of the James River.
design studio 5701 Grove Avenue Richmond, VA 23226 www.1hg.net