We are pleased to announce the continuation of one of our ecclesiastical Master Planning projects. After months of working with the building committee and church leadership to develop a comprehensive Master Plan, the building committee has been approved to begin developing the first phase of construction. brwa is pleased to be developing the new sanctuary for this congregation, to enhance the hospitality for which this congregation is known.

The Sustainable Leadership Awards is EarthCraft Virginia’s signature event to recognize the region’s premiere developers, builders, architects, government officials and other industry professionals drawing over 150 individuals. For 2013, The Crossings at 4th and Preston won the award for “Multifamily New Construction Project of the Year.” This is a great achievement, and we are very proud of this accomplishment and our collaboration with Virginia Supportive Housing.

At a September reception here in Charlottesville, The Central Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects has recognized the office of brwarchitects with their Honor Award for Design Excellence for The Crossings at 4th and Preston. This building is a Single Resident Occupancy facility designed for Virginia Supportive Housing. Half of the 60 single rooms have been designated  for formerly homeless individuals in the Charlottesville area with the other half serving residents with incomes below 50% of the area median income. Over 20% of the building’s energy needs are satisfied from photovoltaic panels.  Solar hot water is used throughout the entire facility  and is controlled by an integrated energy management system. The jury,  comprised of  AIA members from NYC, Germany  and the University of Virginia, had this to say about the design:

“This project presents a housing block with a social mission that reinforces the density and urbanity of an important corner in Charlottesville. The solution is careful in the selection of the materials and clearly refuses to replicate historic patterns to establish a contextual framework. The steel I-beams frame the blue tile fabric in a classical modern gesture to create shelters and entrances. The jury was most impressed with the expression of the building that houses the public programs at the corner of 4th and Preston….. The program and the rigor of the layout is worthy of special consideration. The clarity and contemporary expression in the implementation of this culturally important program shows an important path in the re-densification and the advancement of a more sustainable city.”

brwarchitects is pleased to announce that Carl Schwarz and Natalie Feaver have completed their journey to Professional Licensure.  For Architects, this process includes a Masters Degree in Architecture, an Intern Development Program (IDP), minimum of three years, and finally, completion of seven Architectural Registration Exams (ARE).  With these accomplishments, brwa now proudly boasts five registered architects on staff.  Congratulations to both!

Rachel Ryan, Newsplex.com (10 April 2012)

The Crossings at Fourth and Preston held it’s grand opening ceremony Tuesday morning. For many residents getting keys, it’s a dream come true.

“This is the first time in my life I’ve had a place of my own,” said an ecstatic David Taylor. “Being homeless, I’ve slept here and slept there and stayed with different people at different times.”

Now Taylor will have his own studio apartment, complete with a twin bed, a dresser, a bathroom and even a small kitchenette. For man residents, it also offers a new beginning.

Organizers with Virginia Supportive Housing say The Crossings is a solution to the lack of affordable housing options in the area.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Site work is under way and footings have been poured for a new residence carefully situated on an expansive lot in pastoral Keene, Virginia. The commencement of the construction has been gratifying for the design team, the contractor Matt Robb, and the Owners as the product of their collective efforts over a lengthy and deliberate design phase begins to manifest itself in the landscape.

Designed using the principals and august materials of the Arts and Crafts tradition, the houses contemporary building systems includes sustainable technologies such as a geothermal mechanical system and insolated concrete foam block (ICF) walls.

The mild winter has enabled the site preparation and excavation for the 10,000 square foot home, and substantial foundation walls will soon follow to support the generous masonry walls of the first floor.

During the previous two years, brwarchitects has worked with the congregation at the Presbyterian Church of Fredericksburg to develop a Master Plan for their campus. The first key component of the Master Plan is focused on Accessibility Improvements to the Sanctuary, a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places dating back to 1832. The major component of this work includes a new custom-designed elevator, providing accessibility to the historic sanctuary and basement. Completion of the first phase is scheduled for the end of March 2012. The building committee has authorized brwa to begin planning for the start of Phase Two : Education Building Additions and Associated Mechanical Upgrades.

During the schematic design for Phase Two, brwa will assist the committee in identifying a scope of work possible within their established budget. This scope aims to provide handicapped accessibility to the three levels of the existing education building, improved and accessible restroom facilities, an expanded Fellowship Hall with new commercial kitchen, and a entry lobby large enough to facilitate the congregation gathering between services. Upon completion of schematic design, brwa will facilitate the development of a schematic design budget and collaborate with the building committee to establish a specific scope of work. In collaboration with 2RW consulting engineers, options for geo thermal wells are being evaluated for providing heating and cooling for both the education building and the historic sanctuary. Once a complete profile of the scope of work and budget are developed, the project will be submitted to the Session for consideration and authorization to move forward.

Hawes Spencer, The Hook (3 May 2011)

The Crossings, an apartment complex designed to prevent the phenomenon of “Million Dollar Murray,” has begun its rise at the corner of Preston Avenue and Fourth Street…

Charlottesville’s City Council took note and in 2009 approved a controversial zoning law change to enable the so-called Crossings at Fourth and Preston to be developed on the site of a former mini-mall, later owned by the Region Ten Community Services Board.

The single room occupancy, or SRO, complex will consist of 60 studio apartments with half of them reserved for the homeless.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Chiara Canzi, C-ville Weekly. (02 May 2011)

The Crossings will cost $7 million, with roughly $1.07 million already appropriated from the Charlottesville Housing Fund. The project has also received private donations and a $75,000 grant from the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation.

“Some people say this is a lot of money to be spending on one project,” said Norris. But, he added, the UVA Hospital invests about $11,000 for each chronic homeless individual it treats.

“It costs a lot of money to keep people homeless,” he said. “But it’s not just about dollars and cents, it’s not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about transforming lives and it’s about giving people a warm and a safe place.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Terry Karnes, Charlottesville House & Home (08 October 2008)

Taking something and breathing new life into it is something of habit for people in our region. With restored famous historic buildings surrounding us, it’s not surprising that Charlottesville Architect Bruce Wardell fell in love with a historic church and decided to turn it into his home in the mid-1980s.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE