In the first phase of the $105 million University of Virginia South Lawn Project, a 95-foot-wide pedestrian terrace will be built across Jefferson Park Avenue.

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In what is being dubbed the most ambitious undertaking on the University of Virginia’s Central Grounds in a century, Barton Malow is leading construction on Phase 1 of the South Lawn Project.

“The South Lawn Project extends University of Virginia founder Thomas Jefferson’s architectural vision both physically and conceptually, creating a carefully orchestrated ensemble of classrooms, common spaces and landscapes that together form a cohesive academic community,” the university announced in a statement.

In the first phase of the project, which will cost $105 million, a 95-foot-wide pedestrian terrace will be built across Jefferson Park Avenue to connect the South Lawn with Central Grounds.

At the south end of the terrace, a plaza containing a circular fountain that mimics the shapes of the Rotunda and Old Cabell Hall will sit atop a commons building containing a 250-seat lecture hall.

A three-story, glass-walled conservatory will enclose lounge spaces and a café. Two buildings alongside the commons will be new homes for the departments of history, politics and religious studies. Together, the university says these buildings and grounds will accommodate 12,000 student visits each day.

The first phase – which began construction in June 2007 and will be completed in November 2010 – will result in 109,000 square feet of additional building space, and is al-so targeted to receive the university’s first LEED certification. Moore Ruble Yudell of Santa Monica, Calif., is the architect for the project. Cheryl Barton of San Francisco and Walter Hood of Oakland, Calif., are the landscape architects.

The landscape plan includes a public garden at the site of the Foster family home and burial ground that will interpret the archaeological features and recognize the history of the former African-American community called “Canada” that once existed in that area of Charlottesville, Va., according to the university.

“There will be several outdoor terraces, courtyards and gardens where groups can gather for class discussions or quiet conversations,” the university adds.     

“Former stream courses will be [installed] to manage stormwater. Native Virginia plantings will predominate in the landscape design.”

Keeping Neighbors Abreast
The university has taken measures to make sure the neighboring communities understand what the South Lawn Project is about.

In May 2007, the university hosted a briefing on the construction for people who live and/or work near the South Lawn, which began in June.

University Landscape Architect Mary V. Hughes gave the attendees a comprehensive overview that highlighted some of the project’s features, including the pedestrian terrace that will span Jefferson Park Avenue.

The university said some residents had indicated that they envisioned the terrace would essentially create a tunnel-like structure. But Hughes emphasized that the street’s existing grade will not change.

John Vanda, senior project manager with Barton Malow, also outlined the upcoming work for the gathering.

The university says Vanda described how a temporary access ramp had been erected from behind New Cabell Hall along Jefferson Park Avenue to a new temporary bus stop in anticipation of early site work.

Vast Experience
Founded in 1924, Barton Malow says it served as a general contractor for 50 years before expanding its services in the 1970s to include construction management with full pre-construction services, coordinating projects from planning through close-out.

In the early ’80s, the company was organized into the market segments of healthcare, sports, education and corporate/industrial facilities to develop a high level of expertise where it operated, Barton Malow says. “Our pre-construction group, formed in 1986 to support these groups with a reliable estimating system, has grown to 41 full-time engineers and architects,” the company adds. “Their expertise now includes all facets of project planning, value engineering and manpower planning.”

Barton Malow employs more than 1,000 full-time people, including more than 350 trades personnel and has experience in 37 states and the District of Columbia, the company says.

Its general revenues for the previous five years were in excess of $1 billion, and it says it is consistently ranked among the top-10 builders in the nation in each of its niche markets.

“From the start, we have defined quality by client needs, and require all team members to be certain of a client’s requirements,” Barton Malow says. “Our formal customer satisfaction program includes the development of clear, quantifiable and measurable requirements for each of our projects. The approach eliminates the guesswork from the definition of project quality.”
    President Ben Maibach says when all things appear equal, he believes Barton Malow’s success depends on its good name. “An excellent reputation is a differentiating competitive advantage,” he said in a statement. “The reputation Barton Malow has earned is a result of ethics.” nꆱ