A well-designed admission office and welcome center is an essential asset in the college visit experience. Glavé & Holmes Architecture (G&HA) has been commissioned to design eight admission offices and visitor centers in the last 10 years. Through this expertise, our team has distilled the best practices for the design of these facilities into the following elements that can increase the effectiveness of a campus visit.

1. Choreograph the Arrival Sequence – Keep in mind location, accessibility, and first impressions.
2. Create a Memorable Experience with Emotional Connections – Does the building serve as an ambassador for the college brand, conveying the university’s mission and identity through its architectural expression?
3. Enhance the Presentation – Use design principals punctuated with technology and graphic displays to communicate information and make a lasting impact.
4. Provide Effective and Efficient Work Space – Understand staff and administrative needs to design spaces that work and function well.
5. Be Open to New Ideas – Benchmarking tours of other spaces can be a useful tool for expanding imaginations.

Read more about these and other best practices in the articles written by Lori Garrett, FAIA, our in-house expert and Director of Higher Education Studio.

• Facilities Manager
• College Planning and Management
• SACRAO Journal
• University Business Magazine

Robert Parise, AIA, Senior Associate, has been promoted to a Director of the Higher Education Studio at Glavé & Holmes Architecture.

As Glavé & Holmes continues to expand our work in the education market sector with the types of projects as well as the geographical reach, Rob’s new role as the Director of the firm’s second Higher Education Studio will help us better serve clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic. He will work alongside Senior Principal Lori Garrett, FAIA, LEED Green Associate, who created the Higher Education Studio 14 years ago and will continue to lead with Rob.

Rob received his Bachelor of Architecture from the Syracuse University and began his journey in the profession in New York. He moved to the Richmond area in 2000 and  has spent the last 15 years at Glavé & Holmes in project leadership and business development. Rob Parise has two decades of comprehensive design and project management experience.

As a valued and long-time employee of Glavé & Holmes, Rob will oversee some of the firm’s most complex projects. His portfolio is comprised of a broad range of project types including higher education, hospitality, and cultural. Rob is involved in all stages of the process from business development to project delivery. He recently finished the renovation and expansion of Christopher Newport University’s main dining hall and has worked on numerous residence halls on this campus.

Glavé & Holmes Architecture (G&HA) is excited to announce one newly licensed architect and two new hires!

Erika Malanoski, AIA, is now a licensed architect in Virginia. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor in Architecture and a minor in Industrial Design. Erika is a member of Glavé & Holmes’ Higher Education Studio and is currently working on Veritas School’s Dubose Hall Renovation and Liberty University’s new Business School. In her free time, she enjoys renovating her home, hand drafting, and reading.

Kit Ashley joined Glavé & Holmes as a Project Manager/Project Architect in the Higher Education Studio. He has 17 years of experience with 10 years serving in a similar role. Kit earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech and worked most recently at Commonwealth Architects. He has experience with many project types, frequently working with historic renovations including The Beacon Theatre in Hopewell and Virginia State University’s Lockett Hall. He is skilled in AutoCAD, Revit, and Bluebeam. When he isn’t working, Kit enjoys soccer, cycling, and spending time with his family. 

Peter Malanoski has joined Glavé & Holmes as a Construction Administration Assistant. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Richmond. Prior to that he studied architecture at Virginia Tech, and has worked for many years in residential construction. Peter worked most recently as a Teaching Assistant at the Faison Center for Autism. He has experience with AutoCad, SketchUp, and the Adobe Creative Suite. Peter’s hobbies include photography, furniture making, drawing, and writing.

Glavé & Holmes Architecture (G&HA) is proud to announce that Emely M. Taveras, AIA, has been honored with the 2018 Richard L. Ford Jr. Award from AIA Richmond.

The Richard L. Ford Jr. Award is considered the AIA Richmond Chapter’s highest award presented to a young architect, associate member, or intern. It is given in honor of one of the AIA Richmond Chapter’s leading and skillful mentors, Richard L. Ford, Jr. FAIA. Emely has been given the award by the Chapter Board, based on nominations by the Honors Committee, as a person who has demonstrated vision, passion, and excellence to the design community.

Since beginning her professional journey five years ago, Emely has made outstanding contributions to the profession and the industry. Emely joined Glavé & Holmes shortly after graduating from Andrews University with a Master of Architecture. She has participated in numerous organizations both professional and community-oriented. She is a founding member of designVA, an organization for young professionals who share a passion for architecture and design.

Emely was awarded a scholarship to be part of the 2017 Emerging Leaders in Architecture program by AIA Virginia. She recently became a registered architect in Virginia, and is working on becoming a LEED Accredited Professional. She remains proactive and seeks out opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Glavé & Holmes Architecture would like to congratulate three of our employees on becoming a registered architects! They have passed all sections of the Architecture Registration Exam (ARE) and officially earned the title.

Jaclyn Miller, RA, Associate AIA, is now a licensed architect in Maryland. She graduated from Judson University with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies. Jaclyn is a member of Glavé & Holmes’ Cultural Studio and is currently working on the Robinson House at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and several ongoing projects at Gunston Hall.

John Reyna, RA, is now a licensed architect in Florida. He earned a Master of Architecture from University of Miami and a Bachelor of Philosophy from the University of South Carolina. John is currently working on the design for several multi-family and mixed-use projects as part of G&HA’s Urban Architecture Studio.

Emely Taveras, RA, Associate AIA, NCARB, is now a licensed architect in Virginia. She graduated from Andrews University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture and a Master of Architecture. Emely is a member of the Cultural Studio and is currently working on academic projects including the new Fine Arts Center at Christopher Newport University.

Glavé & Holmes Architecture (G&HA) is excited to announce two new hires!

Robert L. Bryant has joined Glavé & Holmes Architecture as the Director of Finance after consulting with the firm for more than seven years since 2000. He brings extensive experience in the design industry as well as more than 15 years in banking and finance. Bob most recently worked as the Managing Partner at Ascent Energy Partners and previously as President and CEO of HC YU and Associates. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the US Military Academy at West Point and has more than 40 years of business and technical experience.

Lantian Zhang has joined Glavé & Holmes’ Higher Education Studio. Lantian holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Wuhan University in China and recently earned his Master of Architecture from Virginia Tech. He gained experience while interning with Cooper Robertson and working as a Student Designer at the Community Design Assistance Center in Blacksburg. During his time at Virginia Tech, he served as a graduate teaching assistant. Lantian is skilled in AutoCad, Adobe Suite, Rhino, and Sketch-up, and enjoys photographing architectural elements in his spare time.

Glavé & Holmes Architecture (G&HA) is excited to announce two new additions to the ownership of the firm. Andrew Moore and Steven Blashfield join Randy Holmes, Lori Garrett, and Jeanne LeFever as owners of the firm.

Andrew Moore, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CDT, is the founder and director of Glavé & Holmes’ Urban Architecture Studio. After earning a degree in architecture from Virginia Tech, Andrew began his career with the firm while under the name Glavé Newman Anderson. Following this introduction to the profession, he gained experience at various Richmond-based firms working on a wide variety of project types. Returning to G&HA in 2004, Andrew focused his career on the renewal of civic places through the thoughtful rehabilitation of existing structures and the creation of new structures that converse with the surrounding built environment. Andrew is a founding Board member of the Storefront for Community Design and serves as President of the Partnership for Smarter Growth. He is a frequent speaker on topics related to urbanism, Smart Growth, and design. He is currently working on Richmond’s new General Assembly Building in association with Robert A.M. Stern Architects.

Steven Blashfield, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, joined Glavé & Holmes in 2009 and became the director of the Cultural Studio. A specialist in historic preservation, he leads a team of talented architects who are responsible for museums, historic sites, and ecclesiastical buildings. Steven received his undergraduate degree in architecture from Clemson University before attending the University of Oregon where he completed two Master degrees, one in Architecture and the other in Historic Preservation. He also attended the certificate program for Historic Preservation at the University of Florida’s Preservation Institute: Nantucket. Steven’s ongoing commitment has developed a strong reputation for the firm as experts in historic preservation, and has made G&HA a leader in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions for cultural projects. His leadership in the cultural sector was acknowledged with the 2015 Virginia Association of Museums’ Ann Brownson Award. Steven is currently working on a new Visitor Center for Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia.

Glavé & Holmes Architecture is excited to welcome five new hires to the firm!

Blue Clements joined the Higher Education Studio as an Intern.  After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture and Extended Media from Virginia Commonwealth University, they went on to earn a Master of Architecture from the University of Virginia. While at UVA, Blue spent time both in teaching and researching roles, working closely with the Fabrication Lab director on a variety of projects. Before entering architecture, Blue worked as an after-school cooking teacher, a custom closet installer, and a handy-person.

Cynthia Boles Fregoso, CID joined the Interior Design Studio as a Certified Interior Designer. She graduated from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and has a Bachelor of Arts from James Madison University in Sociology and Political Science. Cynthia has 17 years of experience and worked most recently at Commonwealth Architects. She has participated in several competitions and won several awards including an ASID/IIDA Interior Design Excellence Award for her work at the Deco at CNB Apartments.

Abi Mitchell joined the Interior Design Studio as an Intern. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Virginia Commonwealth University. Since then she has interned with Moseley Architects, worked as a Space Planning Analyst for Circuit City, and most recently with Havertys Furniture. Abi is strong in color theory and application as well as furniture construction and design. She has experience in both commercial and residential interior design.

Jonathan C. Moore, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, joined the firm’s Higher Education Studio as a Project Manager / Project Architect. He has a Master of Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Bowdoin College.  He is a licensed Architect in Virginia and holds a LEED AP BD +C.  Jonathan worked most recently with Grimm + Parker Architects in Charlottesville. He also spent four years in the Peace Corps in Romania and in the Philippines as a Community Development Consultant.

Xin Yan joined the Urban Architecture Studio as an Intern. She recently graduated from Virginia Tech with a Master of Architecture, and she has a Bachelor of Architecture from the Wuhan University School of Urban Design in Wuhan, China. Xin previously interned at Gensler and served as a Graduate Student Assistant for an architectural design studio at Virginia Tech this past year.  She has participated in several competitions and received several awards including the Lixil International University Architectural Competition where her team’s entry won first place.

Congratulations to Emely Taveras, Assoc. AIA, NCARB, a member of Glavé & Holmes’ Cultural Studio, on graduating from this year’s AIA Virginia Emerging Leaders in Architecture (ELA) program.

Emely is one of 15 individuals who made up to 2017 class of Emerging Leaders, selected based on their potential to be outstanding contributors to the profession and the community. The goal of ELA is to help emerging architects learn and grow by providing tools and experiences to support their careers and future endeavors as leaders and community members. It is an intensive program of educational sessions structured around presentations, discussions, team exploration, analysis, consensus-building, collaboration, and case study activities undertaken over the course of a year. The 2017 class project is sited in Melrose-Orange area of Roanoke, Virginia. This area has been identified as a target area where entitlement funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) could be used to benefit persons of low to moderate income, help eliminate slums and blighting influences, and other urgent needs.  Creation and preservation of affordable housing is also a goal of HUD that directs how these funds can be spent.

Glavé & Holmes has greatly benefited from Emely’s involvement with ELA, and our team is excited to learn more from her experience. The firm has had seven other members complete the program. For more information about the Emerging Leaders in Architecture program and to see the rest of the profiles, visit ELA’s website.