Norfolk, Virginia

The Glass Studio Addition fulfills key goals of the Chrysler Museum’s 2018 Master Plan—expanding the campus and elevating Grace Street to address chronic flooding. Located in the Coastal Resilience Overlay Zone, the project required a landscape solution that mitigates flood risk, preserves mature trees, incorporates native plantings, and serves as a public educational resource.

SGA reimagined the site with a “floodable landscape” concept, transforming it into a sculptural, sustainable environment that celebrates the coastal setting and enhances visitor experience. Central to the design is a seamless connection between the Museum and the Glass Studio across Grace Street, anchored by a serpentine walk. Inspired by lava flows and obsidian—an homage to glass-making—the ADA-accessible path navigates an 8-foot elevation change with a slope under 5%, its gray tone echoing cooled volcanic rock.

A secondary route features cast stone stairs and a teak pedestrian bridge over a central rain garden. The bridge offers elevated views and connects to terraces paved with sand-colored, clam shell-infused pavers that reflect the region’s coastal vernacular.

The rain garden, designed as a “green sponge,” captures and filters runoff using native, salt-tolerant plantings. A check valve, hydrodynamic separator, and gabion-lined sump manage stormwater and meet stringent environmental regulations. The site transitions from 4 to 12 feet above sea level, reducing flood risk and aligning entrances across the campus.

Preserving two iconic Live Oaks was a top priority, achieved through advanced arborist-led techniques. These trees now frame the entrance and enhance the landscape’s character.

As part of the NEON Arts District, the project expands the Museum’s reach and serves as a living classroom for resilient design, native ecology, and stormwater education—demonstrating how landscape architecture can meet climate challenges with beauty and purpose.