VMDO Architects

VMDO Architects along with?Zyscovich?is honored to have led the master planning effort for?Rollins College?, a nationally recognized liberal arts institution set against the picturesque backdrop of Winter Park, Florida. Known for its Spanish Mission-style architecture and serene lakeside location, Rollins offers a campus that seamlessly blends academic excellence with natural beauty. Launched in 2023, this 18-month comprehensive master planning initiative examined every facet of the college's operations—academic, athletic, residential, and administrative. Collaborating with nationally recognized consultants and the Rollins community, we synthesized a strategic vision to guide the College's future. Key priorities, including: - Enhancing academic spaces with flexible, technology-rich classrooms. - Expanding on-campus living to foster intellectual growth, health, wellness, and belonging. - Strengthening connections with Winter Park and Central Florida. - Supporting over-enrolled programs with improved teaching and learning environments. - Delivering best-in-class dining and athletic facilities. Guided by Rollins’ Mission and Strategic Plan, this effort ensures the College’s continued success while planning for a future as bold as its past. Learn more about how VMDO Architects helps campuses like Rollins envision and achieve their boldest aspirations. #CampusMasterPlan?#RollinsCollege?#HigherEducation?#VMDOArchitects?#CampusDesign?#Tars

Crozet Elementary School and Greenbrier Elementary School won top honors in the VSBA Exhibition of School Architecture! The Crozet Elementary School Renovation and Addition was awarded the Platinum Design Award and the Greenbrier Elementary School Library Renovation received an Honorable Mention. Both of these exemplary schools showcase how intentional designs lead to enhanced learning and lively educational environments, reflecting the VSBA Exhibition of School Architecture's goal of raising awareness of the relationship between good design and effective teaching and learning. Join us in celebrating these project teams and don't forget to join VMDOs Virtual session "Master planning for the Future", this afternoon at 2:30pm. https://lnkd.in/e3P6DfdH Photography: Lincoln Barbour

At the 2024 Library Journal Design Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, VMDO Principal Jim Kovach presented design solutions for the Thurgood Marshall Library at Bowie State University. After collaborating with the Bowie State University Librarian, Dean Sophia Sotilleo, Jim designed a series of potential renovation options that would improve the functionality and atmosphere of the Library. To learn more about the recognized challenges and found opportunities, click the link. https://lnkd.in/eMGjbx-R

How does visualization shape VMDO’s designs? Thomas Bates, VMDO’s Director of Visualization, shares how Lumion helps the team connect people with spaces and bring community-driven ideas to life. From immersive landscapes to award-winning designs, see how VMDO uses visualization to push boundaries and elevate educational environments. Read the full interview by clicking the link below. https://lnkd.in/eRWnAqUV

Designing for the greater good with VMDO Architects ?? VMDO Architects, an award-winning architectural firm specializing in educational and community design, is committed to enhancing the human experience through architecture. We sat down with Director of Visualization Thomas Bates to discuss VMDO's impactful work, their approach to designing educational spaces, and how the team members integrate visualization into their process and communicate their vision to different clients. Discover the full interview full of great insights here ?? https://lnkd.in/eRWnAqUV #architecture #community #design #interview #architect

Congratulations to our 2024 Chapter Honors + Design Awards recipients!! ???? We had a wonderful time celebrating on Oct. 23rd in Charlottesville, thank you all for attending! Thankful we can celebrate beautiful work and talented members in Central Virginia. Special thank you to our Honors Committee lead by W. Douglas Gilpin Jr., FAIA, Hayley Owens, Assoc. AIA, Fred Wolf, AIA, Ed Ford, FAIA, and Elizabeth “Jo” Lawson, FAIA. And to our Guest Jury lead by, Marika Snider, PhD, AIA, NCARB, NCIDQ, who joined us from Memphis - big thank you! ?? Photos courtesy of Tom Daly Photograohy ??Full details on our Chapter Awards and recipients: aiacentralvirginia.org

AIA Virginia's Architecture Exchange East Starts tomorrow! Join us for the 37th annual?#ArchEx?conference in Richmond, VA, from Nov 6-8! This year’s theme, "Adapt," focuses on how architecture can evolve with society to embrace sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. Expect invaluable insights, networking, and the chance to earn continuing education credits. As ArchEx2024 kicks off, VMDO is excited to hear from Keynote Speaker Jeffrey Mansfield, principal at MASS Design. As this year’s keynote speaker His talk, "From Rights to Justice: Designing Spaces of Cultural Belonging," will dive into how architecture shapes who is welcomed and who is marginalized within our built environments. Drawing on insights from Deaf and Disabled communities, Jeffrey will reveal how thoughtful design can promote equity, connect us with cultural memory, and inspire communities to feel a sense of belonging. Jeffrey will share his innovative approaches to creating inclusive spaces, informed by his experience in design studios and his commitment to social justice. This keynote is an essential opportunity to explore how architecture can amplify marginalized voices and foster environments rooted in justice and inclusivity. #ArchEx2024?#AdaptArchitecture?#AIAVirginia?#InclusiveDesign?#JeffreyMansfield?#AIAVirginia

Here you go! You knew I love SketchUp, right!? I am proud of what VMDO Architects has achieved with SketchUp as a powerful exploration tool! Our projects, Lubber Run Community Center and GW Thurston Hall, reflect not only innovation but true teamwork, resulting in back-to-back AIA Architecture National Awards. Here is to teamwork and the relentless pursuit of design excellence! #ArchitectureAwards #VMDO #DesignExcellence #AIA #SketchUp #SustainableDesign #InnovationClarityExecution

Sharing the well-deserved recognition that VMDO's Founding Partner, David Oakland, FAIA, LEED AP, has been awarded the prestigious Milton Latour Grigg Award by AIA Central Virginia and Stead Park Recreation Center received the Architectural Merit Award. ?? David has been a transformative force in architecture, shaping communities through projects in Charlottesville and beyond. Locally, his work with affordable housing initiatives has raised over $10M to support vital developments. His projects at UVA, such as Wilsdorf Hall, Gooch Dillard Residential Complex, and Hereford Residential College, have made lasting contributions to the university's architectural fabric, balancing tradition with modernity. These projects have earned him numerous accolades and demonstrate his ability to design spaces that foster learning, collaboration, and community engagement. Help us celebrate David’s legacy of leadership, service, and sustainability! Click the link to learn more about his career. https://lnkd.in/ewb6sSJc Georgia Tech Photography: Johnathan Hillyer Stead Park Photography: Tom Holdsworth

Last Weekend VMDOs Noah Bolton and Brady Scott attended the Groundbreaking for the Original Mount Vernon High School Human Development Center where Fairfax County Supervisor Dan Storck and Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay, along with other community leaders spoke to the importance of this renovation and the impact it will have on the community upon completion.? ? The Original Mount Vernon High School was built in 1939 on land that was once part of George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. The building remains a classic example of Colonial Revival architecture and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. With a universal goal of restoring and protecting this historic school Fairfax County leaders set out to reenvision the life of the building. The main goal of the project is to provide the community with pathways to opportunity through education, workforce development, and life skills development programs.? ? With a renewed sense of purpose, robust public engagement, comprehensive renovation, historic preservation and adaptive reuse strategies, the former high school turned human development center will offer the South Fairfax County community a place to gather, learn, and innovate.