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 President and Director of Design 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 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, LEED AP Director of Engineering and Design Partner 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. 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.
Private Residence | Goochland County, VA
Private Residence | Henrico County, VA
Wellesley Pool | Henrico County, VA HG Design Studio provided the Wellesley Homeowners Association with a full analysis of the existing pool complex to identify any deficiencies. As a result, we were tasked with redesigning the complex, providing a more up-to-date pool and meeting all the current US swim safety standards. The new plans included rebuilding the baby pool with a beach entry, sun deck, and interactive water features.
LOCATION Henrico County, VA ARCHITECT Antunovich Associates DATES Start: 2004 Completion: 2015 DISCIPLINES Master Planning Landscape Architecture
Wellesley Pool | Henrico County, VA
Private Residence | Lancaster County, VA
Private Residence | Lancaster County, VA
Scott’s View Mixed-Use This Scott’s Addition location for a new $75 million groundup project of luxury apartments, first floor retail/office and parking deck was a former industrial site. The client chose HG for civil engineering and landscape architecture combined because of the complexity of engineering and importance of creating an inviting and modern outdoor aesthetic to compete with several other mixed-use properties in this fashionable community. Amenity design includes swimming pool and surrounding outdoor kitchen, courtyard, pocket park and green wall. Our services included preparation and approval of a Plan of Development as well as support during the permitting phase of the project.
Scott’s View Mixed-Use
Private Residence | Chesterfield County, VA
Private Residence | Chesterfield County, VA
Harper’s Mill | Chesterfield County, VA
LOCATION Chesterfield County, VA
HG Design Studio took a comprehensive approach to this vibrant community. Preservation areas were a key factor in envisioning the site’s amenities. The scenic environs have 240 acres of parks and over 25 miles of sidewalks and biking/walking trails, and HG kept all that in mind when creating schematics for the recreation complex, which includes a soccer field, resort-style pool, and clubhouse. We designed the pool to be suitable for the neighborhood, while keeping in mind the potential for future expansion.
CLIENT HMG Investments, LLC
The property developer requested a fresh approach to the Harper’s Mill entrance. A two level water features departs from the mundane, and captures the scenic and relaxing setting that lies beyond.
DATES Start: 2014 Completion: 2015
DISCIPLINES Landscape Architecture
Harper’s Mill | Chesterfield County, VA
The Penny Apartments | Richmond, VA This new $27 million luxury apartment building in historic Jackson Ward features a rooftop terrace, bike racks, a pool terrace and below grade parking accessed from the alley. HG provided civil engineering and landscape architecture for the architect and client, with cost-saving innovation. One example of the benefit HG’s creative problem solving: we showed the architect a design to split the building’s drainage in a way that no stormwater management was required. The design and engineering scope of the 1-acre lot included garage parking and 115,000 square foot five-story mixed-use building with 166 apartments and first floor retail.
The Penny Apartments | Richmond, VA
Tarrington | Chesterfield County, VA Tarrington is a large community in Chesterfield County, Virginia. HG Design Studio worked on master planning for the neighborhood, entry signage design and planting, playgrounds, the recreation center and community park grounds, three pools, walking trails and a boardwalk bridge over a wetland.
LOCATION Chesterfield County, VA CLIENT E|Class Advisors, LLC DATES Start: 2001 Completion: 2007 DISCIPLINES Master Planning Landscape Architecture AWARDS 2007 Homebuilders Association: Best Community Landscaping Best Community Signage Community of the Year
Tarrington | Chesterfield County, VA
Jewish Community Center Camp Hilbert | Goochland County, VA Camp Hilbert is a 110-acre summer camp site in the woods in Goochland County. HG Design Studio worked with the architect to develop an overall site plan to incorporate new elements into existing ones, adding appropriate pedestrian connections and a cohesive feel to the entire camp. We designed a new pool with beach entry, children’s play features, slide, and lap lanes as well as decking, fencing and shade structures. HG also designed improvements to the existing lake amenities.
LOCATION Goochland County, VA CLIENT Weinstein Jewish Community Center DATES Start: 2011 Completion: 2013 DISCIPLINES Master Planning Landscape Architecture
Jewish Community Center Camp Hilbert | Goochland County, VA