THOMAS JEFFERSON’S MONTICELLO

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | The siting and landscape of the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center and Smith Education Center immerse visitors in the native Piedmont woodland at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Forest restoration and a sectional site approach envelop the project’s 42,000 square foot architectural footprint in its woodland setting. The administrative program is located below a central courtyard where visitors gather before and after tours of the historic hilltop. The landscape presents layered views of this LEED Gold complex from inside to outside, highlighting the richness and seasonal beauty of the site. The walk from the parking area is designed as a greensward that manages the site’s stormwater. The path also connects an under-recognized African American Burial Ground into the path system. The overall design comfortably manages 450,000 visitors annually to enjoy distance from their 21st-century routines before ascending to the historic hilltop.

2009 ASLA Potomac & Maryland Honor Award Winner

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