Occupying a site within the dense, urban MCV Campus in the heart of downtown Richmond, the project called for a strategy that would open the building to its context while defining the building mass with a number of discrete, well-scaled components. An inviting and efficient diagonal pedestrian circulation path through the building resolves a disjuncture between the symbolic center of the campus to the east and its functional center to the west.
The sequence of spaces from the entrance on 12th Street includes the covered portico, a double-height lobby, and a diagonal ramp that serves as a stepped forum space. The second floor accommodates a bridge to Main Hospital, a 250-seat auditorium, and an overlook to the main lobby. The elevator bank, placed to allow large flexible floor plates, accommodates a variety of uses, from a 300-seat auditorium to teaching studios, simulation labs, and dry labs on the upper floors. Faculty offices, administrative offices, and meeting rooms are consolidated in perimeter zones.
Designed for LEED Silver certification, the project includes climate walls with computer-controlled electronic sunshades, internal sunshades, and plentiful natural light.
Medical quadrant of downtown Richmond campus
205,000 ft2 / 19,000 m2 gross area; research spaces, clinical skills & simulation spaces, flexible teaching spaces, auditorium, student interaction areas, administration and faculty offices, student affairs spaces, technology services, public spaces, and a bridge to an adjacent building
Virginia Commonwealth University
Architecture; exterior envelope; interior design of public spaces
Steel frame, concrete slab on metal deck. Precast concrete.
LEED Silver Certified
Outstanding Design
Award for Excellence
Year 2013
Work started in 2008
Work finished in 2013
Main structure Steel
Client Virginia Commonwealth University
Status Completed works
Type Colleges & Universities / Research Centres/Labs
