Norfolk Botanical Garden Administration Building
The Administration Building's thoughtful restoration blends historical preservation with modern functionality, reviving its status as a community and cultural landmark.
Founded in 1939, the Norfolk Azalea Garden, now the Norfolk Botanical Garden, owes its existence to the vision and hard work of over 200 African American women who transformed 75 acres into a lush azalea haven under a WPA initiative. As the Garden evolved, the early 1960s saw the addition of essential buildings by Architect Vernon Moore, including the Administration Building, enriching the visitor experience with cohesive architectural designs that resonated with the natural landscape.
Opting for restoration rather than demolition, the initiative sought to preserve Moore's vision. By dismantling later modifications, the project retained the building's original layout. The detailed rehabilitation preserved distinctive architectural details and restored the building's historical exterior, reflecting profound respect for its architectural and cultural significance.
- Sector: Civic + Community
- Scope: Historic Preservation
- Norfolk, Virginia
- 2018
- 15,314 SF
- Photos courtesy of © Yuzhu Zheng
- Citation Award for Landscape Architecture and Architectural Preservation, AIA HR, 2019
- Award of Excellence, Best Renovated or Historic Rehabilitation Project, Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate, 2019