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Studio Twenty Seven Architecture Is Excited To Announce Beaverdam Reservoir Park Is Open

Studio Twenty Seven Architecture is thrilled to announce the innovative park in Loudoun County, Virginia opened to the public on October 21, 2024. Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects is the designer of the overall park. They engaged Studio Twenty Seven Architecture to assist with the welcome center, park pavilions, and boat houses that support the recreational opportunities at Beaverdam. Visitors can bike, picnic, hike, walk, fish, boat, and row while observing and engaging with the protection of Loudoun’s drinking water. The park, a joint venture between Loudoun Water and NOVA Parks, is a commitment to public infrastructure, open space, and the future health and wellness of the community.

The design intent to highlight collecting, filtering, and protecting source water at Beaverdam Reservoir Park is reinforced by the ecological and recreational programming and emphasized by the architectural detailing of the buildings.

The story of water at Beaverdam Reservoir is a microcosm of the larger water cycle. As part of Loudoun Water’s dedication to source water protection and education, Beaverdam Reservoir Park is designed to employ and promote a series of stormwater best practices. The medallions throughout the park describe how stormwater is collected, treated, and conveyed to the reservoir during and following a storm event.

The Welcome Center is organized as a visitor center and bathroom pavilion under a large pavilion roof. Oriented to filter visitors from the parking lot to the reservoir, the Welcome Center showcases the capturing of rainwater and filters it into the bioretention area that becomes the backdrop of the building. The construction detailing enhances the idea of filtering using rain-screen cladding to add depth to the façade.

Rainfall lands on the large butterfly roof canopies at the Welcome Center and pavilions. The roof’s V-shape directs water to the lowest point, where it falls into a rain basin below.

Rain basins capture and temporarily hold rainwater collected from the Welcome Center and pavilion canopies. These features slow down the water as it begins its journey to the reservoir.

Plants and soil media in the bioretention basins absorb large amounts of stormwater to help prevent flooding. Specific plants with deep, dense root systems were chosen for this purpose. Stormwater enters the large bioretention basin, filtered by engineered soil layers and specially selected plants. This process captures sediments and helps remove pollutants.

The Crew Storage building filters crew shells and teams from the park through it, out onto the docks, and onto the reservoir. The building’s skin works as a screen, allowing natural light to illuminate it during the day and for the building to act as a lantern during early morning practices.

Stormwater leaving the bioretention basin makes its way through a bioswale. The meandering river rock swale continues to slow the speed of water, allowing for further infiltration and sediment capture.

Stormwater is released into the reservoir in a controlled way through groundwater or overland flow. A stabilized edge of boulders and vegetation helps prevent erosion along the shoreline.

The sustainable water management practices installed at Reservoir Park help improve and protect the water quality in Beaverdam Reservoir. These efforts are part of Loudoun Water’s larger mission to protect and ensure the availability of clean drinking water for the community.

Loudoun Water seeks to ensure a healthy environment and high quality of life through effective and sustainable management of local water resources and securing viable drinking water sources for future generations. Studio 27 was honored to be a part of this project and is excited for the public to experience the park’s opportunities.