WRT recently began work to update a long-range master plan for Virginia's state capitol in Richmond. The firm prepared the master plan in 2005 with the goal of revitalizing the city's downtown, promote tourism, and preserve historic resources. The master plan included a space needs assessment of over three million square feet of state-owned office space within Richmond, and provided a sustainable planning and design framework for significant renovation and new construction investment within a ten-year period. Sensitivity to the historic context and downtown Richmond real estate market forces were critical to the success of the 2005 master plan.
The master plan update is intended to identify and incorporate changes that have occurred within the last five years, including new construction and renovation of existing facilities and the availability of additional space in the Commonwealth’s facilities portfolio within downtown Richmond. The update will revisit sustainability goals and targets for existing buildings and site infrastructure to increase efficiency, reduce operational and maintenance costs, and achieve the Commonwealth’s sustainability goals such as Governor McDonnell’s recent executive order 19 requiring conservation and efficiency in the operation of state government.
"This project is a next logical step for the capitol complex in Virginia within the context of changing state and federal sustainability mandates and efforts to reduce costs and increase efficiency of public facilities," said WRT Principal Antonio Fiol-Silva.
"It is exciting to have an opportunity to revisit and refine our own previous work," said WRT Senior Associate Yogesh Saoji. "This Capitol Master Plan highlights WRT’s leadership position in the planning and design of capital regions and the design of capital cities, capitol districts, and institutional and cultural campuses for state and federal government clients."
