press release

VSAIA Recognizes VMDO’s 1980’s Addition to
Scottsville Elementary With “Test of Time” Award

Honor Marks 25 Years of Lasting Value in Architectural Design

Charlottesville, Va. - The Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects has recognized VMDO Architects with the 2005 “Test of Time” Award for their 1980 addition to Scottsville Elementary School. The honor acknowledges the lasting value of good architectural design. To be considered, the structure must be no less than 25 years old and must function in essentially the manner as originally designed.

The Central Virginia AIA committee responsible for the firm’s and Scottsville Elementary’s nomination noted VMDO’s “cutting-edge revision of the school’s 1970’s-era open classroom plan, which tripled the school’s size and reinforced the preferred team teaching approach.” The committee also cited “the red, rounded library/media center that remains the school’s heart even after a more recent [2005] addition.”

The honor was announced at the Visions for Architecture gala hosted by the Virginia Center for Architecture Foundation on November 4.

The design won a VSAIA Honor Award in 1984.

VMDO was also recently awarded a CVAIA Honor Award for its design of Canal Basin Square in Scottsville.

Located on Scottsville’s Main Street, Canal Basin Square celebrates the town’s history and relationship with the river. Designed by Charlottesville Landscape Architect Nancy Takahashi in association with VMDO, the interpretive park features exhibits that span the period from the early river batteaux of the pre-colonial period to the days of packet boats and freighters on the Kanawha Canal.

VMDO Architects was founded in 1976 and is the 2003 recipient of the T. David Fitz-Gibbon Virginia Architecture Award, the most prestigious honor given by the Virginia Society of American Institute of Architects.

For further information, interview, and photography opportunities in reference to this project and VMDO Architects, please contact William Bishop at 434.296.5684, email at bishop@vmdo.com.