Virginia Commonwealth University

School of Fine Arts project designer with Perkins and Will

With its two-story entrance on Broad Street, aligned with a significant campus access way, the new fine arts building was the first academic space to expand the campus eastward to the Richmond Broad Street corridor. The building’s expression combines modern composition with traditional materials and elements, reflecting the nature of the school as well as the University. The lobby serves as the centerpiece of a studio building, featuring a simple shell with open studio space inside; an internal spine links the various programs, while a glass entryway incorporates a gallery and provides access to a working sculpture yard at the rear. The building had been in the planning stages for years by other consultants. However, based on their work on two other projects for the University, this team was brought in, and the project was completed well under budget and ahead of schedule. This is the second of three major projects Mark Chen has completed for VCU, including a study for the School of Engineering and the New School of Business.

Project Data

110,000 square feet on three stories the new center houses studios, classroom and support space for sculpture, crafts, painting and printmaking Richmond Virginia – Mark Chen Principal Designer with Perkins and Will with Rancorn Wildman Associate Architects