Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Status: Completed 2015
Architect: Grimm + Parker
Landscape Architect: Wolf Josey Landscape Architects

The Center for Politics, founded by Larry Sabato in 1998, sought a schematic master plan and 6,000 SF building proposal for its new location in the historic Montesano house, built in 1885. Collaborating with the architects, three schemes were conceived using the rich history of the site as well as the client’s mission to educate and engage citizens, young and old, in the value of politics in government.

The gardens were designed for both public events and outdoor classrooms as well as for more intimate gathering spaces for students and staff. The landscape was inspired by the role of amphitheaters in shaping the creation of early representative governments.  In addition to this, smaller outdoor rooms and site sculptures reference significant moments in U.S. political history and the role of each branch of the government today.