Virginia Commonwealth University
Arts and Innovation Academic Building
Project
Arts and Innovation Academic Building
Client
Virginia Commonwealth University
Location
Richmond, VA
Completion
Est. 2026
Size
212,700 GSF
Certification
Pursuing LEED Silver
Category
Campus Innovations, The Arts
Partner Firm
Glavé + Holmes Architecture
The VCU Arts and Innovation Academic Building (AIAB) is a crucible for creativity, experimentation, and life-long learning. The 8-story complex will combine VCU’s arts and innovation academic programs into one single location including new collaborative opportunities for Theatre, Music, Dance, Communication Arts, and Cinema. For the first time, these distinct disciplines will work together using cutting edge technology to create new art forms, inventive product prototypes, and find new ways to innovate that will impact the university and its urban context for generations to come.
Massing Diagrams
Vertical Collider
Singular Form
Luminous Corners
Embracing an Urban Context
Recognizing VCU as a seamlessly urban university, the building folds the city into the building. The AIAB marks the intersection of two major boulevards in a profoundly open and welcoming way through main public spaces as well as maker spaces, studios, and performance venues that are highly transparent. These features create an outward looking building that animates the Richmond Arts District neighborhood.
In contrast to the orthogonality of the city grid, the folding inward of the building is expressed through curved forms, introducing organic, diagonal connections (both horizontal and vertical) throughout the building. The floors are organized around a continuous vertical “vortex” where each floor is identifiable and contains a diverse mix of activities yet remains connected to the front door and floors above and below.
Floor Plan Axons
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7
Roof Level
Project Consultants
Structural Engineer | Dunbar PLLC
Mechanical / Electrical Engineer | Altieri Sebor Wieber, LLC
Civil Engineer | Dewberry Engineers, Inc.
Landscape Architect | Waterstreet Studio
Lighting Consultant | LAM Partners, Inc.
Theater Consultant | Theatre Projects Consultants, Inc.
Acoustical Engineer | Kirkegaard
AV Consultant | Kirkegaard
Sustainability Consultant | Sustainable Design Consulting, LLC
Cost Estimator | Venue. Consulting
IT / Security Consultant | Convergent Technologies Design Group, Inc.
Life Safety / Code / FP Consultant | GHD. Inc.