LATEST NEWS

Free Lance-Star Newspaper Article on Belle Grove

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Commonwealth Architects Now Offers Landscape Architecture and Urban Design

Commonwealth Architects announces the formation of a new division: Landscape Architecture and Urban Design. The division is lead by James C. Smither, CLA, ASLA, formerly the principal of Smither Design. Landscape designer Elizabeth Van Buren, also formerly with Smither Design, has joined the firm as well. Commonwealth Architects and Smither Design have a long history of collaboration on projects such as the Academy of Music Performing Arts Center, Belle Grove, Trigon/ Anthem, Hotel Miller & Rhoads/ Richmond City Center, and Shockoe Crescent/ Richmond Cold Storage. More details to come!

AWARDS AND HONORS

ACORN Golden Hammer Awards

Commonwealth Architects is honored to have received the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods’ (ACORN) top award for preservation in the community—the Marguerite Crumley Award. Bob Mills and Doug Harnsberger were asked to accept the award.

ACORN’s press release

AIA Northern Virginia 2002 Design Award

Commonwealth Architects congratulates Project Architects Alastair Reilly and Spencer Grice, RA on receiving an AIA Northern Virginia 2002 Design Award—the Kitten McD. Herlong Award (Grand Award) for their “Santa Fe House,” Santa Fe, New Mexico.

CARY COURT

Style Weekly, 3/12/02
Richmond Times Dispatch, 3/12/02
Richmond Magazine, July 2002 (a)
Richmond Magazine, July 2002 (b)
Richmond Magazine, July 2002 (c)

MILLER & RHOADS

Style Weekly, 3/13/01
Richmond Times Dispatch, 9/26/01
64 Magazine, October 2001
Style Weekly, 10/2/01

SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE

Sweet Briar College Alumni Magazine, Spring 2002 (a)
Sweet Briar College Alumni Magazine, Spring 2002 (b)
Sweet Briar TV interview with Douglas Harnsberger, AIA: 'SBC National Historic District Restorations.'

FM SOLUTIONS

Facilities Focus

Facilities Focus is a monthly column in the Richmond Chapter of the IFMA (International Facility Management Association) newsletter written/edited by the FM Solutions Division of Commonwealth Architects. It allows facility management professionals, consultants and industry suppliers the opportunity to share their experience and knowledge. The column addresses topical information related to facilities management practices, such as proven philosophies, professional experience, and windows into rising technology.

CAFM Systems and You
Creative Business
I See You Out There
Learn Their Grandchildren's Names
Move it or Lose It
Thank You - Al Gore
Where Does the Time Go

LOST TRADES PROGRAM

Lost Building Trades 
Lost Arts

TRIGON

Contruction Progress Reports

Read the construction progress reports for the expansion of the Trigon headquarters—one of the most visible construction projects in Richmond.

January Progress Report
March Progress Report
May Progress Report
July Progress Report
September Progress Report

BELLE GROVE

Douglas Harnsberger on HGTV

View HGTV’s ‘Old Homes Restored’ segment on Douglas J. Harnsberger at Belle Grove.
Click here to view

NEW HIRINGS:

Beverly Hryciak

Beverly Hryciak has joined Commonwealth Architects as an Office Administrator. She was previously with Price Modern/ JMJ Corporation.

Sara Scott

Sara Scott has joined Commonwealth Architects as a Business Development Assistant/ Architectural Designer. She is a graduate of Connecticut College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in Architectural Studies.

PROMOTIONS

Patricia Taylor

Patricia A. Taylor, CID has been promoted to Associate in Interior Design for her expertise in design, tenant management, planning and project management. An award-winning interior designer, Ms. Taylor has provided design and management services for clients such as Brandywine Realty Trust, Liberty Mutual, C.F. Sauer Company and Insignia/Thalhimer.

Ken Van Riper

Kenneth J. Van Riper, AIA has been promoted to an Associate of the firm. Mr. Van Riper is a Project Architect for the Trigon Headquarters expansion and renovation, and for the Sam Miller’s Warehouse renovation and addition.

Tom Heatwole

Thomas B. Heatwole, AIA has been made Senior Associate. Mr. Heatwole is the Project Manager for the Superior Building project, One Monument Avenue (Stuart Circle Hospital Adaptive Re-use), and The Academy of Music Performing Arts Center. Mr. Heatwole is also a member of the Virginia Bar.

NEW PROJECTS

MISCELLANEOUS

Richmond Magazine December 2001

The December 2001 issue of Richmond Magazine listed the 75 most significant buildings in Richmond. We were pleased to see that The Columbian Block building, where our offices are located, made the cover. Many of the buildings on the list have been renovated or rehabilitated under the direction of the principals at Commonwealth Architects, including Monumental Church, Virginia House, The White House of the Confederacy, St. John’s Church, Second Presbyterian Church, Wickham-Valentine House, The Columbian Block, the Winston House, the Maggie Walker House, the Mutual Building, the Scott-Bocock House, The Richmond Art Company, and The Virginia Trust Building. Commonwealth Architects is proud to have played a part in protecting Richmond’s architectural heritage.

Broad Street Banners

If you’ve driven down Broad Street in Richmond lately, you have probably noticed these two new murals, which are hanging on the side of the former Thalhimer’s building. The renderings, by Smither Design, show Commonwealth Architects’ design concepts for the forthcoming Hotel Miller & Rhoads, and for a new Virginia Performing Arts Center on the adjacent Thalhimer’s block. Commonwealth Architects is working in association with ECI Investment Advisors Inc. and Gary Beller on the Hotel Miller & Rhoads project, which will involve the adaptive use of the former Miller & Rhoads department store.