Farmville, Va.

After developing the master plan, ASG assisted Longwood in replacing a city street in the center of campus with a pedestrian mall and student life plaza.

Brock Commons, named for the Virginia couple that donated $3 million toward the project, features a landscaped, tiered plaza with two fountains, a pavilion and colonnade, new sidewalks and lighting, plus a 142-space parking structure under the plaza.

Where the intersection once divided the campus into north and south regions, the Commons unites them and extends the gracious, historic north southward. Cross streets terminate at the edge of the Commons and mid-campus traffic was eliminated in all directions. In addition, the parking facility flattens the roller coaster topography and improves pedestrian flow.

The street closure resulted in a safer pedestrian environment, full accessibility to all buildings, and an informal outdoor venue for events, classes, and spontaneous gathering.

Completion: 2004
Size: Three city blocks
Cost: $7.5 million