V I R G I N I A M U S E U M O F F I N E A R T S

 

QUICK NOTES

  • DESIGNED BY: Angela Danadjieva (1976), Lawrence Halprin (1976), OLIN Partnership (2010)

  • LOCATION: Richmond, VA

  • TYPE: Museum/Cultural Landscape

  • YEAR DESIGNED: 1976 and 2010

  • NOTABLE DESIGN ELEMENTS: Sculpture garden, waterfall, sunken garden

long story short

In 1976 Angela Danadjieva and Lawrence Halprin designed a sunken sculpture garden that included a geometric water feature inspired by Virginia’s waterfalls. In 2010 Halprin’s sculpture garden was replaced by a museum wing designed by architect Rick Mather and a lawn, waterfall, and canted rooftop sculpture garden designed by Laurie Olin of OLIN.

once upon a time

Acting as a gateway to the James River, the park initially came about in 1970, when the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond realized that the Downtown Expressway would pass by their main entrance, not only disconnecting them from the remainder of the City, but also taking away a significant portion of the James River and Kanawha Canal. Zion and Breen Associates were hired as the landscape architects to solve the problem in a creative manner.

One of the significant aspects of this place is its play of hardscape and landscape. The contradiction, yet complementary meeting of concrete and grasses is evident throughout the space as constant reminder of man-made geometry meeting nature . The relatively large heptagonal waterfall is significant not only in its design form, but also function. Considering that the plaza is an island surrounded by major roads as well as overlooking the Expressway, the location and design of the element creates a unique barrier between people and the nearby traffic. The sound of the falling water becomes a distraction from the drivers, while its presentation captures the eye, creating an urban oasis in the midst of chaos.

The planting selection throughout the plaza brings about great deal of softness and natural flow to a rather geometric and man-made structure. Whether around the waterfall or along the pathways, the collection of the lily turf, mixture of ornamental grasses, and larger shrubs, including hydrangea, add a powerful element of nature to this otherwise isolated space.

Large steps alongside the waterfall not only act as barrier in case of heavy rain, but also add to the visual interest in terms of contrast to the main element.

Aerial image of the renovated Kanawha Plaza as it sits above the Downtown Expressway, surrounded by major streets, neighboring the Federal Reserve Bank.

Image C/O: Bill Dickinson via YouTube (link in Sources)

Sources:

  • https://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/architecture-review-kanawha-plaza-reopens-with-a-welcomed-cleaning-and-makeover/Content?oid=2374102

  • https://tclf.org/landscapes/kanawha-plaza

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbSYmOol00s

    ** All photos by author unless otherwise noted.