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Dear OGES Community,
The building of a new Oak Grove Elementary school is a significant investment in our children's futures. I am excited about the unique opportunity of contributing to the development of a community school that will set the standard for the 21st century. The technologically advanced "green" school will stand as a beacon in our community, lighting the way for new hope and prosperity. I envision the new school as a silent teacher; its beauty wrapped around educational programs that will teach the whole child and support the needs of the community. With help from all stakeholders, we will develop the school that the students, teachers, parents, and community partners have dreamed about. It makes us proud to be a part of Richmond Public Schools.
Jannie Laursen, Principal, Oak Grove Elementary School
The Oak Grove Elementary School (OGES) project includes the design and construction of a new 650 pupil facility on a completely new site. A review of the existing OGES site determined that it was not large enough to accommodate the existing facility and a newly constructed facility. A determination was made that it was not in the student's best interest to move them to temporary facilities while the existing structure was demolished and the new school built. Initially, the Ruffin Road Elementary School site was selected as the best alternative to the existing site. However, after further review it was determined that due to its location and being bordered on three sides by warehouses and industrial property, that site was not suitable. Therefore, a review of possible alternative sites is currently underway and is slated to be confirmed March 2010.
Phase 1 Design activities include programming, education specifications development, schematic design and review and updating the initial project budget. Currently, OGES is in the latter stages of Phase 1 Design. The programming and education specifications are scheduled to be completed on or about March 12, 2010 at which time a final report will be issued to Richmond Public Schools (RPS) for acceptance.
The architecture firm for OGES is VMDO Architects. VMDO held its initial project meeting with the reconstituted RPS elementary school team. VMDO has also held several meetings with the RPS design team and the OGES Principal to discuss Programming and corresponding Education Specifications. The goals of these reoccurring meetings are to put the architect together with the OGES students, parents, teachers, administrators and community in an attempt to more clearly define the curriculum delivery method and preferred space alignment.
Ground-breaking and site utilities work is presently scheduled to begin November 2010 with the remaining construction scheduled to start in May 2011. This schedule allows for the final completion of construction on or about May 2012 with students occupying the space on the first day of school in August 2012. Demolition of the existing building and final site activities will be complete around the end of that same year.
Background
VMDO Architects is a professional corporation headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia. Since its founding in 1976, the firm has offered full architectural services including programming and planning, schematic design, construction documentation and specification writing, site planning and construction administration.
Over the past 30 years, VMDO has focused on customized planning and design for a variety of institutional clients throughout the United States. Specialists in both Higher Education projects and K-12 school design, we have worked in cities and counties across the Commonwealth and have enjoyed many repeat clients. The practice is committed to designing facilities that are more than just functional spaces. We strive to create designs that are suited to the needs of the community, offering an inspiring and engaging environment that translates into meaningful buildings of lasting value. VMDO Architects has thus established a reputation for progressive, high-quality planning and design.
Outstanding Recognition
The distinctive design and personalized service that the firm offers each client makes VMDO one of the most sought-after architecture firms along the East Coast. The firm’s work is frequently recognized for its outstanding caliber by the Virginia School Boards Association, Virginia Educational Facilities Planners, the Learning by Design consortium and the American Institute of Architects. In 2003, VMDO became the youngest firm to receive the T. David Fitz-Gibbon Virginia Architecture Firm Award, the most prestigious honor given by the Virginia Society AIA. VMDO’s award-winning designs have been featured in national publications including Architecture, Architectural Record, Progressive Architecture and The New York Times.
The VMDO Commitment
VMDO is a hands-on, service based firm. We offer distinctive design and personalized service to each client based on an in-depth understanding of their goals and needs. Project teams are assigned to each project they undertake and the team members see the work through from start to finish. The firm’s principals play a leadership role in every project; their extensive personal interaction with the client and project staff insures the best design possible.
The Staff
The firm consists of a professional staff of 39 people, including 8 principals (Bob Moje, AIA, LEED AP, David Oakland, AIA, LEED AP, Todd Bullard, AIA, LEED AP, Joe Celentano, AIA, LEED AP, Joe Atkins, AIA, LEED, AP, Randy Livermon, AIA, LEED AP, Ken Thacker, AIA, LEED AP, and Terry Forbes, AIA), 5 associates (Steve Davis, AIA, LEED AP, Kim Thompson-Smith, AIA, LEED AP, Michele Westrick, AIA, LEED AP, Maggie Thacker, Tricia Witherow) an architectural staff and an administrative support staff. The firm has 16 licensed architects and 23 LEED accredited professionals.
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