Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Smith History Center at Monticello
Michael Vergason Landscape Architecture, Ltd.
The design of the Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Smith History Center enhances the sequence of arrival to Monticello and creates a respectful setting that captures the character and texture of the local ecology in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Michael Vergason Landscape Architects designed the 13 acre project to be deeply rooted in its woodland context, a counterpoint to the expansive vistas and cultivated landscapes of the historic mountaintop. The 30,000 square foot LEED Gold Visitor Center program is broken down into a series of pavilions. This strategy enables the pavilions to hug the topography with minimal profiles so as not to disrupt the views from the top of the mountain. Thoughtful site planning and plantings frame views to the understory and focus on a central courtyard.
The exclusively native plant palette re-knits the forest to the surrounding woodland, providing variety while maintaining both the sobriety and slight wildness of the Piedmont forest.
A new Greensward connects to the existing African-American Burial Ground, drawing it in as an integral part of the Monticello experience. It also serves as a collecting spine for pedestrian traffic and stormwater with a vegetated swale and a series of step-pools.
Green roofs also work to sustainably manage stormwater on-site in two adjacent locations: a thin section of meadow roof above the retail shops and a deeper section of occupiable roof covering the full extent of the central courtyard. The green roofs in this project create a seamless connection between buildings and landscape, weaving the surrounding woodland vegetation throughout the entire project.
Jury Comments:
- Overall project looks and feels great;
- Well done;