Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based architecture firm, was selected to work on the South Lawn Project yesterday.
According to University Relations, the firm has been contracted to work on phase one, or the first four buildings, that will comprise the South Lawn Project.
University Architect David Neuman said phase one should take between four and a half and five years to complete.
"Specifically the firm, we believed, had a lot of very valuable experience doing similar sorts of projects," Neuman said. "They had glowing accolades from the references we checked. [They are also] very sensitive to the context here at U.Va."
John Ruble, who will lead the project as the partner-in-charge, is a graduate of the Architecture School. According to University Relations, he said he was interested in the project because the University is his alma mater.
While Project Manager Krista Becker said the firm is excited about the project, it does not currently have a concept for the project.
Neuman said the project team will arrive at the University in 10 days and will spend a week studying the University Grounds.
"By just before the December holidays, the plan is to have a conceptual design and a conceptual cost model," he said, adding that the University does not want to waste any more time.
University spokesperson Carol Wood said the University still is in the process of fundraising for the project.
"About two-thirds of the money is being fundraised by the College Foundation, and the other third is coming from various sources available to the University," Neuman said.
Both Neuman and Wood praised the quality of the firms that applied.
"The roster of firms was absolutely outstanding and incorporated all architectural styles," Wood said. "We felt blessed by the competition."
Neuman said the selection committee, which involved students, faculty and members of the Board of Visitors, believed the firm's breadth of experience suits the project.
"I think we picked the best architects out of our pool," Neuman said. "I am very optimistic about this project being successful."
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