The Dawson’s Row Landscape Study reimagines the historic grounds surrounding the Office of African-American Affairs (OAAA) at UVA to better suit the needs of the student population. The project examines how this culturally significant site can better serve the dynamic OAAA community today, creating a home away from home, while preserving its rich, layered history.

Our first step was to compile and organize the various existing historical resources and research through our consultant, Liz Sargent, and her team, who also interviewed Archaeologists and other previous inhabitants and stewards of the OAAA throughout its history. Using the findings of the report, Waterstreet Studio, in conjunction with the UVA & OAAA advisory committee, developed two schematic design options that address accessibility challenges, gathering space needs, stormwater management, and opportunities for storytelling about Black history at UVA. The proposed interventions include new walkways, shaded gathering areas, interpretive features, and updated planting strategies—all carefully designed to reflect the mission and identity of the OAAA.

Through a series of discussions with OAAA leadership and staff, the concept of “Bridging and Bonding” emerged as a guiding framework for the design of the master plan, building off of the social capital concepts described in the book Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam, who credits Ross Gittell and Avis Vida’s research in the social sciences.

The result is a flexible, phased design planning approach that creates spaces for students to reach out and build bridges with the larger community, while preserving inward-focused spaces for bonding with their peers. The plan balances function and heritage, creating a more welcoming and meaningful landscape for Black students on Grounds and reaffirming Dawson’s Row as a vital cultural and communal anchor.

Fundraising is ongoing to bring this plan to life.

LOCATION:
Charlottesville, VA

CLIENT:
The University of Virginia

PROJECT TEAM:
Liz Sargent Historical Landscape Architect - Historical Research
Roger W. Ray & Associates - Surveyor