Virginia Commonwealth University for VCU 2020: 2004 Master Plan Site, with BCWH Architects; also Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company; Michael Dennis & Associates; Smith & McClane Architects

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park and Medical College of Virginia (MCV) campuses are tightly constrained on two footprints. There is virtually no land on which to expand. The new plan captures three outcomes: infrastructure for a national research institution, balancing the needs of two campuses, and enhancing the student experience.

Development focused on creative, transparent strategies for buying derelict properties with an eye toward areas of future consideration. This allowed consensus building and helped establish the university as a significant force in revitalizing the community.

“The master plan provided the vision for place-making that has given VCU a true sense of campus while celebrating its citizenry within Richmond,” says John M. Bennett, senior vice president for finance and administration.

VCU sought creative solutions to access Virginia debt, solicit private funds, maximize public/private partnerships, and match project delivery method to project type to implement plan components, resulting in $1 billion in projects, including $700 million in new construction.

VCU’s Monroe Park Campus addition area con¬tained several high-quality historic buildings, abandoned buildings, surface parking lots, barren land and low-use facilities. The challenge was to create an aesthetic appropriate to the environment.

On the MCV Campus, VCU capitalized on Virginia’s priorities to access $70 million in public debt for construction of a new school of medicine.

VCU is an example of a university being an urban regenerator and good neighbor in a diverse, urban context. Examples are identity and sense of place, preserved historic resources, and enhanced campus edge. The plan originated green spaces such as the past-to-future walkway, uniting the historic, symbolic places with new teaching and research spaces.

The jury said, “ . . . amount of new development here is astounding . . . very practical approach, doing a lot for Richmond . . . clearly plans for the future building on the past . . . ”

Project Team: Virginia Commonwealth Univer¬sity with BCWH Architects; also Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company; Michael Dennis & Associates; Smith & McClane Architects