History

1963

1964

The Plan for the Greenspring and Worthington Valleys in Baltimore County has been widely recognized as a seminal model for sustainable growth management. Originally prepared by Wallace McHarg Roberts & Todd in 1964, the Plan continues to influence the sweeping valley landscape today. In 1989, a Supplement Plan to identify new techniques for preserving the unique characteristics of the Valleys was prepared, and most recently, the Valleys Planning Council retained the firm to address the impacts of growth on water quality and supply.

1964

Baltimore's Inner Harbor is an urban success story, one whose planning concepts have stood the test of time extraordinarily well. As author of the master plan, WRT was responsible not only for creating the image but also for executing the architecture and landscape design and construction of all public areas in more than 100 contract assignments. Public use of the water's edge exclusive of traffic, continuous building cornice lines to create a harbor frame, emphasis on view corridors to link the city to the harbor, the World Trade Center symbolically stepping into the water, and the USF&G tower serving as a transitional hinge—all were translated by WRT into design principles and guidelines that, carried out by multiple developers, give the Inner Harbor its lasting identity.

1965

This plan gave rise to the 'susceptibility to change' model, in which a design vision is realized through a sequential series of moves - from a new circulation pattern to strategic development - resulting in dramatic improvements with minimal public investment.

1969

Ian McHarg's seminal text used WRT's early projects as case studies in ecologically sound planning and design, and inspired generations of professionals. It continues to influence the firm's approach today.

1972

WRT's environmental studies provided the groundwork for the 103-mile Washington, DC Metrorail System, and served as a basis for the NEPA responsive transportation facility planning process still used today. 

1973

This resort master plan is often cited as a prime example of how to successfully integrate mixed-use development, and at the same time minimize the impact on a fragile natural environment.

1975

WRT's plan addressed sharply changed economic conditions, resulting in the creation of a Downtown Development District, a re-zoning of downtown, establishment of 4 historic districts, and the opening of the riverfront to the public.

1975

The innovation of WRT's ecological and site planning studies for this renowned 18,000-acre new town was to couple a strategy for natural drainage and sound hydrology with provision of the community's open space network.

1976

Initiated to guide development of the new mass transit, WRT's plan lowered the allowable FAR, established bonus provisions for pedestrian connections on private property, and provided guidelines for arcades and mini-parks with upper-level pedestrian conduits to transit stations.

1977

This landmark comprehensive plan introduced principles of sustainability and environmental carrying capacity to counter development pressures that threatened the island's viability as an eco-tourism destination.

1980

1981

One of the most closely scrutinized development efforts of its time, WRT's master plan accommodated the expansion needs of Congress while respecting the historic mandates of the L'Enfant plan and Olmsted's landscape designs.

1983

This controversial study challenged a long-held informal agressment by recommending the building height for Liberty Place exceed that of Philadelphia's historic City Hall - a gesture that has forever changed the city's skyline.

1984

WRT served as architect for 37 stations of Santa Clara County's new 21-mile light rail transit system that links residential areas south of downtown San Jose with major employment concentrations to the north.

1985

Marking the beginning of WRT's senior living practice, this project transformed a 77-acre estate into a small-scale village for seniors - one in which building and landscape combine to encourage health and continued mobility.

1985

WRT's competition-winning design commemorates the Cuban hero of independence. Nearly twenty years later, the project was named a 21st Century American Place by Americans for Our Heritage and Recreation.

1987

This innovative state-wide growth management plan addresses the decline of cities and inner suburbs, as well as the loss of the sensitive countryside and provides a mechanism to reconcile policy differences regarding the locations of future growth and land conservation.

1988

Widely heralded as the first sports facility in 50 years that weaved itself into an existing urban fabric, one of the most identifiable features of the ballpark is the retention and renovation of the 1,032-foot long, eight-story B&O Warehouse as part of the park. As part of the Master Planning Team, WRT performed urban design services and is the Landscape Architect of Record for the Camden Yards Sports Complex. WRT's "rotated square" paving motif, a stylized baseball diamond, is employed both outside and inside the ballpark, and has been adapted into several logos and signage designs used at the complex.

1990

WRT's master plan and Environmental Impact Study (EIS) guided this new 8,600-acre wildlife refuge, reestablishing a portion of tall grass prairie, which covered up to 90% of the state prior to European settlement.

1990

WRT's design for this interpretive history museum restores four landmark buildings on the site of the 19th-century Tredagar Iron Works, and offers a dynamic perspective of the city's past.

1991

This landmark plan uses a determination of carrying capacity to protect natural resources, public safety, and community character for one of the nation's most environmentally sensitive coastal regions. The plan is heralded as a model of sustainable development under Florida's stringent growth management laws.

1991

Undertaken as one of the world's most intensively developed urban resorts, WRT's plan and urban design guidelines ameliorate thirty years of uncontrolled growth, providing a framework for future development that balances tourism with the interests of local residents.

1996

WRT's urban development plan for Panama guides the short and long-term growth of the country's major urban areas - Panama City and its environs on the Pacific Ocean and the City of Colon and its surrounding area on the Atlantic Ocean - while protecting the valuable ecological areas of the watersheds.

1997

This suburban park interprets the form and spirit of the existing landscape, creating a place that prompts inquiry, delight and memories.

1999

This award-winning transformation of a two-mile-long corridor came to life when a combined sewer overflow installation resulted in the unearthing of a historic canal. WRT's plan and design of public improvements along the newly revealed waterfront had the dual effect of introducing civic amenity and spurring significant private development. Improvements include canal walls, walkways, terraces, pedestrian bridges, and steps and ramps to provide access to the canal from street level. Pedestrian plazas at the east end of the Haxall Canal and Turning Basin in Kanawha Canal serve as major public nodes within the redevelopment district. Related private sector development includes 2.6 million square feet of office space, 400 residential units, and 70 thousand square feet of retail.

1999

The $4.6 million restoration and adaptive reuse of the former dairy barn followed WRT’s comprehensive Alapocas Run State Park master plan, creating a focal point for the park that accommodates a visitor’s center, museum, and event facility. The Blue Ball Barn is now a regional icon that holds a prominent location, serving as the gateway to the Brandywine Valley regional attractions, extending into Pennsylvania. Restoring and adaptively reusing the barn underscored the owner’s commitment to educate the public about the benefits of reuse and smart design. Sustainable features include an energy-efficient building envelope, mechanical system that did not interfere with the historic character, and an ecological approach to stormwater management. LEED Gold.

1999

WRT is one of the nation's leaders in the federal HOPE VI program, replacing distressed public housing with mixed-income communities. The firm has been responsible for close to $1 billion of the grants, and worked with nearly 1/3 of the cities implementing the new mixed-income approach under the program.

2001

WRT's award-winning plan for 1,700 acres along the City of Livermore's southern edge allows for limited development through a mechanism that links land development with conservation: for every acre developed, one acre of planted vineyard is preserved in permanent easement; for every unit developed, another acre of planted vineyard is placed in permanent easement. The plan allows for economic development, represented by home development, integrating new development with agriculture, and reinforcing the area's character and its viticultural heritage through a planting program. The plan has resulted in the development of nearly 1,500 homes in five neighborhoods, preservation of nearly 5,000 acres, increased regional parkland, and substantial new investment in wine country economic development and visitor amenities.

2001

WRT's open space plan establishes a vision and guidelines for the future of more than 1,700 acres along the river, and involved coordination with more than 26 agencies.

2002

The award-winning vision proposes a smart growth alternative to the sprawling development patterns planning for Coyote Valley - 6,800 acres of agricultural land that serves as San Jose's urbanizing area.

2004

A WRT | Soloman ETC project: This privately developed 100-unit (280-bed) infill housing project is designed for students at the University of California Berkeley campus.

2006

WRT's sustainable building and landscape design result in an award-winning, LEED-cerified environmental center that sets an example for others of its kind, while accommodating recreation and research programs.

2007

Heralded as one of the nation's most ambitious civic undertakings, this project will transform the city's relationship to the Trinity River, making it the centerpiece of the urban renaissance.

2009

Working with the Philadelphia Water Department to visualize green infrastructure retrofits of existing streets, WRT demonstrated the feasibility of implementing various green infrastructure tools given the constraints of existing infrastructure. 

2011

The 160,000 SF academic buidling at Germantown Academy was the first phase of WRT's updated sustainable master plan for the school. The project was designed to meet LEED Gold Criteria and incorporated a host of sustainable design strategies that extend the building as a teaching tool.

2011

The project showcases the former Bethlehem Steel foundry's blast furnaces as part of a unique cultural and entertainment campus. The master plan calls for extensive reuse of buildings in addition to strategic infill of new construction to create a live, work and play community.

2011

WRT was selected to design the 10-acre park along the Potomac River in part because of past successes in working closely with public groups to translate goals and visions into meaningful programs and exciting designs.