Project Details

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The renovation, restoration, and additions for this 19^th Century mansion, located along the southern bank of the James River in the Spring Grove area of Surry County, included careful consideration and treatment of the existing historic structure, as well as innovation in design for modern improvements. The Structures Group, Inc. (TSG) assisted project architects and historians in the coordination and preparation of the demolition documents, as well as both the construction documents for the renovations and additions to the existing plantation structure, which met requirements for both code compliance review and historical restoration. It should be noted that both additions, as well as the renovated original structure, were required to be in compliance with the current live, wind, snow, and seismic load requirements for the Mid-Atlantic Hurricane Region.  During construction, TSG also provided the Agent I Special Inspections as required by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC).

Initially, a 20^th century structure was separated from the original plantation structure, moved and reconstructed at a different location on the 400 acre plantation.  TSG then designed cribbing and temporary shoring for the two (2) story multi-wythe brick walls and 40’ tall masonry chimneys so that the crawl space could be excavated and or a new foundation wall installed below grade to create a full basement along the entire length of the existing structure.  TSG also provided the design of the reinforced cast-in-place concrete walls, floors, and roof for the 1,600 square foot gallery vault addition below grade.  The innovative additions also encapsulated the historic brick cistern as a cross sectional display within the basement of the right elevation.

While outbuildings were still being designed and constructed, the plantation renovation project received an Outstanding Preservation Project Award from Preservation Virginia in 2010.

Client/Contact:

Terry Ammons, AIA
Studio Ammons
Petersburg, VA