UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

Charlottesville, Virginia

The 11-acre Dell is one of UVA’s iconic historic landscapes at the heart of the grounds that had become derelict and unused. It is also the route of a stream corridor for the headwaters of a major regional watershed. Many sections of stream in the watershed had been piped to accommodate development, destroying the biological integrity of the stream system. 1,200 linear feet of piped stream was restored to a natural condition and created new spaces for outdoor recreation and education. The design honors and celebrates the historic legacy of the site while situating innovative sustainable storm water facilities and a restored stream in the tightly knit fabric of recreational spaces, playing fields, and interpretive facilities.

This day-lighted stream cascades into a precisely calibrated storm water pond - one whose geometries reflect both the order of the University grid and the meander of the piedmont stream hydrology. The indigenous planting plan illustrates the spectrum of plant zones found in Virginia and serves the University as a native plant botanical garden. The design has been acclaimed for its celebration of the sites history and sustainable innovation. Kennon Williams was the project manager and a primary designer on the project while at NBW.

Awards

2004 ASLA Maryland Merit Award

2005 ASLA National

2006 INFORM Awards VA AIA Honor Award

2007 ASLA Virginia Honor Award

2008 Society for College & University Planning Merit Award for Excellence in Landscape Architecture, Meadow Creek Stormwater Master Plan

2009 ASLA National Honor Award