Landscape Architect Articles

LASN 2010 Firms: christopher consultants09-02-10 | News

christopher consultants,
Five offices in Northern Virginia and Maryland

Established in 1982, christopher consultants’ multidisciplinary team of landscape architects, land planners, civil engineers, surveyors and environmental scientists offers a quality, integrated design approach. The landscape architecture and land planning project list includes sustainable planned residential communities, mixed use developments, federal and local government facilities, industrial properties and recreational amenities.

Christopher consultants has over 90 employees. The firm’s six partners are Christopher Brown, PE, William Zink, PE, William Goldsmith, Lou Canonico, PE, Ruth Fields, CFO, Michael Kitchen, PE and Jeffrey Smith, LS.

The landscape architecture and land-planning services are directed by group leaders Brian Collins, RLA, LEED AP and John Rinaldi, AICP, with a support staff that includes Leshanda Gibbs, RLA, Courtney Hinson and Lindsay Burleigh, certified arborist.

Software: AutoCAD, PhotoShop, Illustrator, InDesign and SketchUp.

Mount Vernon Commons, Alexandria, Va.

This residential multifamily mixed-use project has ground-floor retail. Based on its triangular site, the flat iron building design with diversity in colors and scale is inspired by deco and modern building architecture.
Landscaping in the courtyards and pocket parks are supplemented by multitiered plantings and retaining walls along the perimeter streetscape. The project design is anchored by public art and blends into the existing urban fabric of this traditional, walkable neighborhood.

Alcova Row, Arlington, Va.

This residential town house community infill project rests along the Columbia Pike corridor. It was one of the first developments approved using principles of the Arlington County form-based zoning code. The project design addresses the natural site topography. The unit façades establish a prominent and safe streetscape experience for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users. Landscaping, paving materials, fencing and wall detailing enhance the site aesthetics. Tree preservation areas provide an effective transition into the adjacent established neighborhoods.