Glavé & Holmes Architecture was commissioned to perform the interior design services for University of Virginia’s Miller Center for Public Affairs. The Miller Center of Public Affairs at the Universityof Virginia represented a unique design challenge
for the interiors team. The project included spaces in the original ca. 1855 temple revival mansion as well as the J. Wilson Newman Pavilion designed by Alan Greenberg in 1991. After extensively researching the history of the building, as well as the architectural period, historically sensitive design schemes were developed. Henry Sargent’s, “The Tea Party” of 1824, for example, provided the design concept for a custom Axminster carpet developed in tandem with Brinton’s Carpets. Document fabrics were chosen from Brunschwig & Fils and Scalamandre and furniture elements such as the Baltimore style ‘fancy chairs’ were resourced. The team also worked with a film consultant to determine which historic colors worked best in a space that is routinely televised. The character of the space was enhanced by custom signage inspired by mid-nineteenth century chair backs.