Radford University
Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity

The center offers unique academic and student life opportunities by facilitating cross-disciplinary interaction, breaking traditional silos, and supporting creative arts therapy and research. It houses shared spaces for the Waldron College of Health and Human Services and the Artis College of Science and Technology.

The Artis Center integrates the visual and performing arts and the health sciences in a dynamic mixed-use environment that prioritizes openness, interaction, and flexibility. The facility features state-of-the-art instructional, laboratory, maker, studio, computer, and collaborative spaces, as well as an instructional auditorium, painting and drawing studios, and music and dance studios. Flexible classrooms, clinics, and studios foster interdisciplinary collaboration, while public galleries and event spaces connect campus and community.

Vertical and horizontal connectivity maximizes the site’s efficiency, with seamless indoor-outdoor transitions via multilevel entrances and courtyards. By blending education, innovation, and public interaction, the center becomes a vibrant hub that supports Radford’s evolving academic needs and forward-thinking identity.

The Artis Center uses its space efficiently by maximizing its interdisciplinary collaboration. Flexible classrooms, shared labs, and open studios were designed to serve multiple disciplines, eliminating the need for redundant spaces. Collaboration hubs and technology-integrated areas foster cross-disciplinary exchange, while informal learning zones double as study and meeting spaces. Compact, high-performance design, vertical stacking, and adaptable layouts optimize footprint without sacrificing functionality. By integrating adaptable, shared spaces, the center enhances collaboration, improves resource efficiency, and reduces overall space demands while supporting innovation and academic engagement.