The Source for Richmond Architecture and Design Information

W.G. Clark’s Just Rewards

Images captions in order: Beckerdite Scholley House, Campbell Hall at the University of Virginia, Middleton Inn, W. G. Clark House,  Croffead House floor plan, Croffead House Earlier this month, W.G. Clark, one of Virginia’s most accomplished architects, was honored with the 2023 Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. …

Opinion: Why There Should Be A National Museum of Slavery in Richmond

Every February since the 1970s, Black History Month has been observed nationwide. It is a time for reflecting on the struggles of Black people in America, and recognizing their many accomplishments, contributions, and innovations. Black History Month is also a celebration of victory over the many oppressive institutions and practices that have shaped American history. …

Opinion: Rethinking Monument Avenue

­ The following is an opinion article from contributor Robert P. Winthrop. Winthrop is partner at Winthrop, Jenkins, and Associates, a Virginia based architecture firm specializing in historic renovation. Historic buildings have also been his focus in numerous writings and lectures. As author of The Architecture of Jackson Ward, Cast and Wrought: The Architectural Metalwork of Downtown Richmond, …

Opinion: Reading American History in an Architectural Detail

In recent developments around town, a new design trend has emerged. Architects of residential buildings of modest heights, as little as three or four stories, are opting to change the facade material of the uppermost floor, and sometimes create a slight setback. The effect is often to cheapen the structure, exposing the main facade for …

In Support of Pear Street

  A controversial new development has been proposed in the East End. The development, commonly known as Pear Street, is sited in Shockoe Bottom at the eastern terminus of Tobacco Row, a street of large tobacco warehouses which has been converted into a mixed use neighborhood. The site is currently zoned for industrial use so …

Opinion: Filling in the Gaps

  Article and photographs by Robert P. Winthrop. The following is an opinion article from a guest writer, Robert Winthrop. Winthrop is partner at Winthrop, Jenkins, and Associates, a Virginia based architecture firm specializing in historic renovation. Historic buildings have also been his focus in numerous writings and lectures. As author of The Architecture of Jackson Ward, Cast and …

Virginia’s Favorite Architecture

Recently, the Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects conducted an open poll to determine the commonwealth’s most beloved buildings. The result is “Virginia’s Favorite Architecture,” a list of 100 well known structures around the state. Richmond had a deservedly good showing, earning 23 of the overall spots. Here are three more Richmond structures …

Opinion: “A Stadium in Shockoe Bottom? No.”

This article addresses the development proposal in Shockoe Bottom unveiled by Mayor Jones in November of last year, which has been headlined by a new baseball stadium. A counter opinion article from Don O’Keefe was posted last week. More information about the Shockoe Bottom plan can be found here:  So the mayor wants to build a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom with …

Opinion: Shockoe Bottom Plan

This article addresses the development proposal in Shockoe Bottom unveiled by Mayor Jones in November of last year, which has been headlined by a new baseball stadium. A counter opinion article from Ed Slipek to follow will address the negative aspects of the proposed plan. More information about the Shockoe Bottom plan can be found here:  To begin with, …

Opinion: ChildSavers Building

Architect: Philip Johnson, renovation by Baskervill Dates: 1968, renovation in 2007 Address: 200 North 22nd Street Philip Johnson’s WRVA radio station, now the ChildSavers building, goes beyond padding Richmond’s architectural resume with an illustrious name. The building functions as a beacon of creativity and innovation in one of Richmond’s oldest neighborhoods. The materiality of concrete …