The University of Mary Washington’s President Hurley, members of the Board of Visitors and other University representatives rededicated Mason and Randolph Halls on September 21st. A new addition and renovations, designed by Bowie Gridley Architects, have transformed the residence halls, originally constructed in 1952, from traditional dormitories into vibrant living-learning centers.

The addition, designed in a vocabulary compatible with the existing Georgian style, provides a focal point for a prominent campus quadrangle. It includes a variety of informal gathering spaces and seminar rooms featuring advanced audio-visual technology in a warm and welcoming setting, shared by residents and the larger UMW campus community. Renovations include all new life safety, information technology, key-less entry, mechanical and electrical systems. A variety of lounge and study spaces are interspersed among resident rooms and faculty apartments, offering a wide range of collaboration and social venues.

The project is expected to meet LEED Gold certification standards, with many features highlighted to enhance residents’ understanding of sustainable design. BGA worked with the students’ sustainability committee as well as representatives from the University’s Residence Life, Facilities and IT constituency committees to implement the campus’ first energy dashboard and interactive displays that will educate students about sustainable living. Students can see live data on energy and water use in their portion of the building as well as graphic displays of resource consumption associated with features of a typical resident room and bathroom.  BGA developed the illustrated displays using the Revit 3D model of the furnished rooms.

Founded in 1981, Bowie Gridley Architects specializes in work for institutions of community significance – academic and student life facilities, performing arts centers, libraries, athletic and recreational facilities, museums and cultural centers. The architecture, planning and interior design firm is based in Washington, D.C. and works with clients throughout the U.S and abroad.

After a year of fast-track design and construction, Meridian Public Charter School’s new building has opened to students for the 2012-2013 school year. Bowie Gridley Architects designed renovations and additions to the former 1890s-era Harrison Elementary School to provide over 63,000 sf of space for pre-K through 8th grade students.

The grand opening included appearances by Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, and DC Council Member Jim Graham.

Upgrades to the existing building establish modern classrooms, office spaces, stairs and circulation space for students. The three-story addition contains Meridian’s large assembly spaces, including a cafeteria, library and multi-purpose room/gymnasium. The most prominent component of the addition appears to be independent of the flanking wings of the original building, with recessed connecting spaces added on either side of the new center wing. The addition’s glass and metal panels contrast with the existing masonry structure. The continuation of the horizontal lines of existing brick strong courses and the roof cornice will help to tie the addition to the original building. Building entries on 13th and V Streets will be returned to their original character.

New energy efficient windows designed to restore the original look of the building, along with new HVAC systems, will contribute to the project’s achieving LEED Silver Certification.

“A beautiful, historic building is coming back online with a new life in a great neighborhood,” BGA Principal Bill Gridley, FAIA said of the project. “We are very pleased to be an integral part of this exciting project.”

Founded in 1981, Bowie Gridley Architects specializes in work for institutions of community significance – academic and student life facilities, performing arts centers, libraries, athletic and recreational facilities, museums and cultural centers. The architecture, planning and interior design firm is based in Washington, D.C. and works with clients throughout the U.S and abroad.

The new Jacobson Hall at Fork Union Military Academy recently opened to cadets for the 2012-2013 school year. The three-story, 92,000 gsf barracks, designed by Bowie Gridley Architects and built by English Construction, has 250 sleeping rooms for up to 500 Upper School cadets. The building replaces a number of aging barracks and consolidates the various corps into a modern, technologically-advanced central barracks.

The exterior design extends the campus’ existing architectural style, celebrating the rich history of this Christian college preparatory boarding military school for boys in grades 6-12, which was founded in 1898. Numerous design details were inspired by those found on existing campus buildings and lend a sense of permanence and timelessness to the building’s appearance. Sleeping rooms feature furnishings usually found in military service academies and the latest computer/telecommunications technology.

Environmental sustainability was a key goal the project. The design features a full geothermal heating/cooling system with energy management systems, high-performance windows, state-of-the-art lighting and controls and regionally-manufactured materials. FUMA will be seeking LEED Certification from the USGBC.

A video of the grand opening ceremony can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/ForkUnionMilitary

Founded in 1981, Bowie Gridley Architects specializes in work for institutions of community significance – academic and student life facilities, performing arts centers, libraries, athletic and recreational facilities, museums and cultural centers. The architecture, planning and interior design firm is based in Washington, D.C. and works with clients throughout the U.S and abroad.

Associated Firms:
Dunlap and Partners, Mechanical/Electrical Engineers
Hurt & Proffitt, Civil Engineers
ADTEK Inc., Structural Engineers
Sustainable Design Consultants, LEED Process Management
Harrison Consulting, Project Manager/Owner’s Representative

With the completion of the first design phase, Bowie Gridley Architects is well underway on the new Pratt Field facilities project at Amherst College. A newly-renovated football stadium and new 17,000sf varsity fieldhouse will bring a new face to the athletics program. Following the completion of an athletics feasibility study by the architectural firm in 2011, Amherst College commissioned BGA to complete design and construction phase services for the proposed facility changes.

The primary change involves reorienting the football stadium to better fit the campus layout, expanding the track to fit current NCAA regulations and upgrading the field with a new turf field. Other upgrades, now in design, include an expanded press box, spectator seating and concessions, as well as the installation of filming capabilities for athletic events. New field lights will allow for evening practices and competitions.

The new varsity fieldhouse will house a training center, equipment room, staff offices, and locker rooms for the men’s and women’s lacrosse, field hockey, football, softball and track and field teams, as well as visiting teams and referees. The fieldhouse features a large alumni/film room that can be subdivided for team meetings, and two terraces overlooking the football stadium and lacrosse field.

The project is slated for completion by the start of the football season in Fall 2013.

Founded in 1981, Bowie Gridley Architects specializes in work for institutions of community significance – academic and student life facilities, performing arts centers, libraries, athletic and recreational facilities, museums and cultural centers. The architecture, planning and interior design firm is based in historic Georgetown and works with clients throughout the U.S and abroad.

The Dolley Madison Library, designed by Bowie Gridley Architects and completed in 2011, has received a Merit Award for Exceptional Design from Fairfax County. The award recognizes the architect’s ability to maintain the facility’s original character and connection to the community, while opening the building to nature and natural light by taking advantage of its location next to McLean Central Park.

The original library had minimal connection with the surrounding park and very little natural light. The collections were disorganized and rapidly outgrowing existing stack space. The new design retains the façade of the original (1967) building. A major expansion enlarges the reading room and circulation area and adds a new staff workroom, community meeting rooms and children’s play area. The main feature of the addition is a floor-to-ceiling glass exterior wall, designed to evoke the park’s trees and leafy canopy and providing pleasant views of the adjacent forest.

The project features a 4600 square feet green roof, efficient & renewable energy improvements, resource conservation & recycling, improvements to indoor environmental quality and an environmental education program worthy of LEED Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council.