The Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate (HRACRE) recently hosted their annual Excellence in Design Awards to recognize distinction in development design across the region. From hundreds of submissions, 40 projects were selected for recognition—including four projects that VHB played a role in. VHB’s integrated team of civil engineers, landscape architects, and environmental scientists were honored to play a role in the following four awards:
- Award of Excellence, Best Conceptual Project: Garden of Tomorrow, Norfolk Botanical Garden, Norfolk, VA
In collaboration with Dills Architects, VHB is supporting the largest construction project in Norfolk Botanical Garden’s history through preliminary site design improvements. The project includes a 35,000 SF conservatory, a 12,000 SF entrance pavilion, and an outdoor plaza and cafe, a parking garden and multiple planted bio-retention stormwater management facilities along the water’s edge, all designed to enhance the visitor experience and expand the Garden’s offerings.
- Award of Excellence, Best Educational Building: Old Dominion University, Ellmer College of Health Sciences, Norfolk, VA
VHB, in partnership with Old Dominion University, provided geomatics, environmental permitting, civil engineering and stormwater engineering for this public health space. This $74.9 M, 128,000 SF facility serves as a dynamic hub for health-related disciplines and community healthcare services—advancing ODU’s mission to expand access to STEM-H fields.
- Award of Excellence, Best Landscape Project: Flatiron Park/End of Massive Resistance Memorial, Norfolk, VA
VHB supported VIA design architects with the renovation of Flatiron Park in downtown Norfolk, home to the End of Massive Resistance Memorial. VHB’s geomatics services played a role in the project, providing the survey and boundary data needed to thoughtfully integrate public art and revitalize the space for reflection and community gathering. - Award of Merit, Best Institutional/Public Building: Williamsburg Fire Station Replacement, Williamsburg, VA
The Williamsburg Fire Station is a 31,000 SF, state-of-the-art facility replacing the original 1978 station, now equipped with individual bunk rooms, a digital Emergency Operations Center, and an advanced alerting system to improve emergency response. As a key teaming partner to GuernseyTingle, VHB supported the design-build team with landscape architecture, survey, and civil engineering services—navigating complex site constraints to keep emergency services fully operational during construction.
Visit VHB Virginia Beach to learn more about our team’s experience and capabilities.
