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In response, there is more investing in the aesthetics of these centers, first with architectural treatments, and, more recently, hardscapes and landscapes. With sophisticated consumers and active local governments and community groups, gone are the days of the rubber-stamped strip center. The Shoppes at Stonewall in Gainesville, Va. demonstrates this trend of large upscale lifestyle centers. This level of hardscape treatment used to be reserved for high-end pedestrian-oriented ?EUR??,,????'?????< The project theme is a reflection of the name and primary landscape feature of the adjacent golf course community, Stonewall Country Club. The design element that ties the center?EUR??,,????'?????<  The low seat walls and plinths topped by limestone planters are all of ?EUR??,,????'?????< Clay brick pavers without chamfers or lugs and flat-topped concrete pavers are cart-friendly, and the lack of an aggressive surface texture reduces the tripping hazard of uneven paver surfaces. The paver brick, wall veneer stone, and precast concrete are same materials used on the buildings, and the concrete pavers were selected to closely match the colors of the veneer stone. Even the site furnishing colors tie into the building storefront and lighting colors. This helps to bring the architecture out into the landscape by using the same colors and textures, and makes for a cohesive and polished design. The landscape architect creatively designed these spaces to reflect a modern, clean, and precise hardscape, yet the stone, pavers, brick, and naturalized landscape soften the rigidity of the buildings and the geometry of the hardscape patterns. Seven masonry columns topped with custom lamp houses, affectionately nicknamed ?EUR??,,????'?????<  True 4x8-inch ?EUR??,,????'?????< Landscape architects know it is difficult to create a pedestrian-scale environment with buildings ranging from 20,000 square feet to 130,000 square feet, and upwards of 40-ft. high and with 100-ft. plus long storefronts. Add acres of parking surrounding the buildings, and the task becomes more daunting. The typical treatment for this type of shopping center is to pave from curb to building with concrete sidewalk, as much as 20 feet of pavement width. A few different ?EUR??,,????'?????< The sidewalk was removed from along the entire building fa????????ade of the major anchors and kept along the curb. Large landscape beds were then placed against the building to allow for the planting of medium sized trees that, when mature, will provide a canopy for the sidewalk, visually reducing the size of the building for the pedestrian. To further reduce the scale of the architecture, a series of stone plinths topped by limestone planters were strategically placed between the sidewalk and the building. These plinths bring the architecture out to the sidewalk as well provide a pedestrian scale ?EUR??,,????'?????<  Clay brick pavers without chamfers or lugs and flat-topped concrete pavers are cart-friendly and reduce tripping hazards. The paver brick, wall veneer stone, and precast concrete are the same materials used on the buildings. The concrete pavers were selected to closely match the colors of the veneer stone. Most of the expansion joints in the sidewalks along the buildings are hidden under the paver inlays. The inlays align with projections or columns on the buildings, greatly reducing the probability of stress cracks in the concrete leading to premature failure of the sidewalk. The project features several innovative design details created and implemented to keep the desired aesthetic. Doors on the anchors and at the architecturally significant building projections are highlighted with either the stone-like concrete pavers or an argyle pattern in the concrete to highlight them on the ground plane, causing the eye to redirect toward the storefront. Most of the expansion joints in the sidewalks along the buildings are hidden under the paver inlays. These inlays align with projections or columns on the buildings, greatly reducing the probability of stress cracks in the concrete leading to premature failure of the sidewalk. The custom fabricated ?EUR??,,????'?????< The Landscape Architect?EUR??,,????'?????<Landscape architects working within an architecture office are often presented with challenging opportunities not generally granted to LAs in traditional practice or in engineering firms. In addition to the synthesis of the complete hardscape/landscape experience, consisting of schematic design, conceptual landscape design, construction documents and construction administration, the landscape architect also coordinates different aspects in the site development?EUR??,,????'?????< The landscape architect and their design played a critical in obtaining approval from the advocacy group charged with making the center fit with the existing residential community. Regular meetings with the group, the client, and the architect and landscape architect addressed and alleviated the community?EUR??,,????'?????< Design & Construction Team Materials Site Furnishings  |
