Robert S. Mills, Principal, Architecture
A registered Architect and certified Interior Designer, Robert S. Mills brings multi-faceted experience to the firm in the areas of architecture, interior architecture, planning and management. With over twenty years of experience in design and construction, Mr. Mills has provided a full range of design services for a wide variety of corporate, development and commercial clients. He has been responsible for numerous projects including the renovations of the Richmond Art Building and the Winston House, NationsBank branch renovations, new construction and master planning for the C.F. Sauer Company, as well as the design and construction of Shockoe Plaza, a mixed-use development located in downtown Richmond. Mr. Mills is the Principal in charge of the Architecture Division of Commonwealth Architects.
Douglas Harnsberger, Principal, Historic Architecture
A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Virginia, Douglas Harnsberger is the Principal in charge of the Historic Architecture Division of Commonwealth Architects. He is both a registered Architect and a published Architectural Historian. The former Historical Architect for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in the early 1980’s, Mr. Harnsberger has also practiced in the private sector as an architect specializing in the Historic Architecture field for over twenty years. He has conducted numerous in-depth historic structures investigations, followed by full architectural and engineering services for rehabilitation, restoration and conservation projects. Mr. Harnsberger has cultivated strong working relationships with a variety of talented specialized contractors, builders and artisans with demonstrated experience in rehabilitation and restoration work. Recent clients include the Virginia Historical Society, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Shenandoah National Park, Sweet Briar College, the Academy of Music Performing Arts Center and the Hotel Miller & Rhoads.
Dominic A. Venuto, Principal, Interior Architecture
Dominic Venuto has over twenty five years of experience in all areas of the interior design profession. A licensed Interior Designer and a professional member of the International Interior Design Association, Mr. Venuto is the Principal in charge of the Interior Architecture division of Commonwealth Architects. His primary area of expertise lies in office design and planning for corporations, professional services firms and governmental organizations. During his career, he has held positions that include designer, Operations Manager and founding Principal for firms listed on Interior Design Magazine’s Top 100 Giants.
Lee A. Shadbolt, Director of Architecture
Lee A. Shadbolt has twenty years of experience in architecture, construction management, and design. Mr. Shadbolt’s extensive architectural experience began with several prestigious New York architectural and interior design firms. He is a registered architect, NCARB certified and a past president of the James River Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Mr. Shadbolt is the Director of Architecture and is currently the Project Manager for the Trigon Headquarters Expansion and Renovation in Richmond.
Sara L. Cowherd, Director of FM Solutions
Sara L. Cowherd,
CID joined Commonwealth Architects in 2001 as the Director of FM Solutions.
Ms. Cowherd has over nineteen years experience in the design, construction
and facility management field. She leads a team of professionals providing
program and project management services for corporate facility management
clients throughout the mid-Atlantic. Ms. Cowherd’s clients have included
Motorola, Inc. First Union Securities, Wachovia Bank, Circuit City Stores,
Inc. (Corporate), Amteva/Cisco and Philip Morris. Ms. Cowherd is currently
providing on-site project management services to Trigon Blue Cross Blue
Shield.
Richard L. Ford, Jr., AIA Director of Governmental and Academic Architecture
A graduate
of the University of Virginia, Richard Ford leads Commonwealth Architects’
Governmental and Academic Division providing architectural and planning
services to institutional, higher education, cultural and commercial clients.
Mr. Ford’s 35-year career as a registered architect includes projects
for Mary Washington College, the Children’s Museum of Richmond, the Virginia
Community College System, and the City of Richmond. As a member of the
Richmond First Club, the Richmond Renaissance Advocacy Committee, City
of Richmond Master Plan Committee, and Leadership Metro Richmond, Mr.
Ford is a living example of architect as community leader. He has chaired
the city’s Urban Design Committee, been a member of the Commission of
Architecture Review and was a member of the Board of Director’s of the
Children’s Museum. He remains active at the committee level in the Virginia
Society AIA, and AIA James River Chapter having served as President of
these components in 1985 and 1976 respectively. He also served as Director
of the Virginias Region on the National Board of the American Institute
of Architecture from 1999 2001. Mr. Ford was appointed by the Governor
of the Commonwealth of Virginia to the Art and Architecture Review Board
in 1995. He now serves as chairman of the board, responsible for reviewing
the aesthetics of all state funded building in Virginia.