(January 2026) Orange County, VA – The Montpelier Foundation (TMF) in collaboration with the Montpelier Descendants Committee (MDC) today announced the selection of Studio Zewde, a nationally celebrated and New York based landscape and urban design firm, to lead the design of Montpelier’s forthcoming Memorialization Project, a transformative initiative to honor the lives, labor, and legacies of the enslaved community who lived and worked at Montpelier.
Following a competitive national search, Studio Zewde was selected for its unparalleled approach to narrative-driven design, community-centered engagement, and its deep expertise in creating landscapes that illuminate the stories of people and place. The firm will work collaboratively with the Montpelier Descendants Committee, Montpelier staff, and descendant families to develop a memorial landscape that reflects both historical truth and collective memory.
A Visionary Partner for a Sacred Responsibility
Studio Zewde, recognized by Architectural Digest’s AD100 and named an Emerging Voice by the Architectural League of New York, is a 100% Black woman-owned practice known for projects that merge cultural storytelling with material craft. The firm brings a team grounded in landscape, architectural design, city planning, urban design, sociology, statistics, community organizing, soil science, textile design, and public art.
“Our memorialization work calls for a design team that understands the weight of history, the resilience of community, and the power of place,” said Henry Anglin, Montpelier Descendants Committee. “Studio Zewde’s practice honors all of these elements. Their approach ensures that the stories of Montpelier’s enslaved community will not only be remembered, but experienced with depth, dignity, and truth.”
“Studio Zewde’s work is rooted in connecting landscape to lived experience,” added Acting President and Chief Executive Officer Krista L. Costello of The Montpelier Foundation. “They bring an extraordinary sensitivity to history and a bold creative vision that aligns beautifully with Montpelier’s commitment to descendant-led interpretation.”
Studio Zewde: Designing for Memory and Belonging
Studio Zewde’s portfolio demonstrates its capacity to shape landscapes that acknowledge complex histories while inviting reflection and connection. Their work includes the Dia Beacon landscape in New York; Graffiti Pier in Philadelphia; the Studio Museum in Harlem rooftop; Watts Towers Arts Center Campus in Los Angeles; and other projects celebrated for their community engagement and interpretive power.
Recognized by Landscape Architecture Magazine as leading “the way forward for memorials everywhere,” Studio Zewde specializes in designing meaningful, enduring spaces of remembrance that honor the past while engaging the public in dialogue about the future.
“We are honored to partner with the Montpelier Descendants Committee and The Montpelier Foundation on this historic project,” said Sara Zewde, Founder of Studio Zewde. “The stories carried in this landscape are profound. Our role is to help shape a space that brings those stories forward, truthfully, beautifully, and with the reverence they deserve.”
Next Steps: A Collaborative Design Process
The Memorialization Project will advance through a multi-phase, descendant-led design and engagement process, including:
- Descendant community conversations and listening sessions
- On-site explorations and historical landscape research
- Preliminary concept development
- Public presentations and feedback integration
- Final design unveiling (TBD 2026)
Recently, the collective hosted its latest community engagement meeting, providing a preview of initial design renderings and inviting feedback from descendants and community members as the vision for the memorial landscape continues to take shape. More details about community engagement, timeline, and project milestones will be shared in early 2026.
