Business Details
46 Years
experience
Premier Landscape Architecture Services in Charlottesville
Founded in 1980, Rieley & Associates is a distinguished landscape architecture firm dedicated to creating harmonious designs that integrate natural, historic, and cultural elements. Our expertise spans parkways, public parks, historic property restorations, and private gardens, with a focus on meticulous research and responsible engineering. With decades of experience, we serve clients including the National Park Service, Thomas Jefferson Foundation, and local municipalities. Our small, specialized team ensures principal-level oversight for every project phase, from concept to completion.Notable works include the Poplar Forest Parkway, Monticello's kitchen road restoration, and Stratford Hall's 18th-century garden revival. We combine classical architectural principles with modern sustainability practices to deliver enduring landscapes. Our team's academic contributions and publications reinforce our industry leadership in historic landscape preservation. Clients benefit from our commitment to precision, historical accuracy, and client collaboration across diverse project scales.
Services
Landscape Design
Historic Restoration
Parkway Planning
Garden Architecture
Site Analysis
Master Planning
Cultural Landscape Research
Public Space Development
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- 40 years of specialized experience in landscape architecture and historic preservation
- Principal-led projects ensure consistent expert oversight from concept to completion
- Proven expertise in restoring nationally significant historic sites and estates
- Academic leadership through publications and educational program participation
- Balanced approach combining classical design principles with modern sustainability
What people say
Historic accuracy
Expert team
Client-focused approach
Durable designs
Cultural sensitivity
Services
Historic Landscape Restoration
Specialized restoration of culturally significant landscapes through archaeological research and historical documentation. Our team meticulously recreates period-accurate designs while implementing modern horticultural practices. Projects include Monticello's plantation roads and Stratford Hall's 18th-century garden, requiring precise material selection and construction techniques that maintain historical integrity while ensuring long-term sustainability.
Public Park Development
Comprehensive design and implementation of public recreational spaces balancing accessibility with environmental stewardship. We create multi-use trails, interpretive features, and sustainable infrastructure for locations like the Poplar Forest Parkway and McIntire Park. Our approach integrates ecological considerations with community needs, ensuring spaces that serve both current visitors and future generations through durable, context-sensitive design solutions.
Estate Landscape Design
Customized outdoor environment creation for residential properties combining aesthetic beauty with functional usability. Services range from formal garden layouts to integrated water features and circulation systems. Recent projects include Virginia's Windsor Farms Residence and Eastern Shore Estate, where we harmonized classical architectural elements with regional ecological conditions to create distinctive, enduring landscapes tailored to client preferences and site characteristics.
Cultural Landscape Research
In-depth investigation of landscape evolution through archival research and field analysis. Our team documents historical changes to inform preservation strategies and design decisions. This expertise supports projects like the Thomas Jefferson Parkway and Eyre Hall studies, providing critical context for maintaining cultural significance while adapting sites for contemporary use through evidence-based design methodologies.
Master Planning
Strategic long-term development frameworks for complex properties integrating land use, circulation, and environmental considerations. We develop phased implementation plans for institutions like the Virginia Theological Seminary and Southern Virginia University, ensuring cohesive growth that respects existing character while accommodating modern functional requirements through comprehensive, adaptable design solutions.
People
William D. Rieley
Founding Principal
Landscape architect with 40 years of experience leading historic preservation projects. Former University of Virginia lecturer and Albemarle County Planning Commissioner. Specializes in classical architecture integration and proportion studies. Active in professional organizations and educational initiatives.
Roxanne S. Brouse
Partner
Master of Landscape Architecture graduate from University of Virginia. 35+ years of experience in technical design and project management. Expert in historic site documentation and author of publications on Beatrix Farrand's work. Coordinates complex project logistics and client communications.
Jennifer Esser
Senior Designer
20-year veteran with expertise in construction documentation and historic restoration details. Former Florida consultant with diverse project experience including Civil War-era structures and Thomas Jefferson's carriage turnaround. Combines analytical precision with artistic perspective in design solutions.
Questions
What geographic areas do you serve?
Primarily Virginia with projects across the Mid-Atlantic region, including North Carolina, Maryland, and New York.
Do you specialize in historic projects?
Yes, 60% of our work involves historic landscape preservation and restoration of culturally significant sites.
How long does a typical project take?
Project duration varies by scope: small gardens (6-12 months), large historic restorations (2-5 years) including research phases.
Can you work with existing landscape features?
We prioritize integrating existing elements into designs, adapting them for modern use while preserving historical context.
What project types do you handle?
We work on public parks, historic estates, institutional campuses, private residences, and cultural landscape research.
