Just steps from the Downtown Pedestrian Mall in Charlottesville, Virginia are the Waterhouse Condominiums. McKee Carson’s charge has been to incorporate an arrival plaza between the two buildings that comprise the project; a 9 story tower on one side and a row of townhouses on the other.

Cues were taken from the site’s natural history, including the occurrence of natural springs, and developed into a design concept which integrates an abstraction of a small undulating stream with an innovative storm water solution. Rain water from the rooftop is captured and collected in a custom-designed cistern centrally located within the plaza. This water is then used to irrigate the site’s lush plantings; these include ferns, river birch and hornbeams, all plants typically found along a riparian edge. Furthermore, the plaza sits atop the condominium’s parking garage, requiring a series of custom green roof details, including planters specifically designed to accommodate the unique demands of the site.

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