2020 Professional Awards
of the Potomac Chapter, ASLA

University of Virginia
West Lawn Accessibility Design

Rhodeside & Harwell

Congratulations to Rhodeside & Harwell for their West Lawn Accessibility Design at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Jurors saw the clear social impact of the project and appreciated the daunting task of integrating the ramps. They noted the design rigor and the precedent-setting value of the project. 

Merit Award in Social Impact

The Lawn and the surrounding Academical Village were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1965, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971, and named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. Although an enduring icon of democratic values, brick walkways and stairs have long created a barrier to travel for persons with disabilities.



In 2016, the landscape architect was commissioned to create barrier-free connections between the upper two terraces. Explorations of various alternatives were made to investigate both temporary and permanent solutions for ramps with slopes of 1:12 and 1:20.



Visual simulations were invaluable in communicating design intent and compatibility with the historic landscape.



Exhaustive stakeholder consultation and numerous design alternatives ultimately resulted in the installation of two permanent brick ramps on The Lawn’s west side, making much-needed connections between the three central terraces.

For the first time in the University’s history, it is now possible for individuals with disabilities to travel from tier to tier without exiting The Lawn.

Design TeamRhodeside & Harwell: Elliot Rhodeside FASLA, Drew Taylor PLA, Colleen Williams, Dante Gamache, Dorsa Afsharjavan, Jonathan Runge, Jules Krinsky PLA, Justin Kraig Schmidt, Kenneth Jones, Rachel Schneider PLA
VHB: John Carty, Marshall Agee
EK Fox: Mike Bentley, Nino Chokbengboun
McMullan: Sze Patrum
University of Virginia: Alice Raucher, Helen Wilson, Mary Hughes, James Zehmer, Brian Hogg, Hans McInturff, Zachary Brackett Photographers: Allen Russ Photography, Rhodeside & Harwell

Congratulations to Rhodeside & Harwell. 

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