Chickahominy Falls, a residential community focused on farm-to-table living, received the 2023 Best in American Living Platinum Award for Single-Family Community, 100 Units & Over by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). As a partner with Cornerstone Homes, VHB provided landscape architecture, including initial planning and zoning, amenity design, and overall landscape design, for the new community geared toward residents aged 55 and above.
Nestled within 200 acres in Hanover County, Virginia, Chickahominy Falls is home to 400 single-family units designed to deliver a blend of suburban clubhouse living and organic farming to residents. The development was recognized at the International Builders’ Show last month for its innovative approach to reviewing and respecting the farmland roots, making it the first neighborhood of its kind in the Richmond area.
By providing residents accessibility to outdoor activities, Chickahominy Falls places great emphasis on connection with nature, linking residents to farm-lets, or pocket-gardens, gathering spaces, and bike trails along the river. VHB landscape architects thoughtfully let the land dictate ideal areas for walking trails that connect residents to multiple wetland areas throughout the community.
“This project and award are a testament to Cornerstone Homes’ commitment to environmental preservation and sustainability,” said Randy Biltz, PLA, Landscape Architect. “By adhering to a low-impact community plan, we were able to preserve mature hardwoods, watersheds, and the river, and weave the community into the existing tapestry of the landscape.”
Chickahominy Falls was also selected as Community of the Year in 2020 by the Home Builders Association of Virginia, and Community of the Year (251-500 Homes) in 2022 by the Home Building Association of Richmond.
Learn about landscape architecture at VHB or connect with Randy through email or LinkedIn.
