New proposed Natural Wildlife Studies building looks awful.
Images on the VT website. I am disappointed about the thinking of either the administration, planning department, BOV, or whomever makes these decisions.
20 Replies
11mo
There is no standard over there. Barns, Warehouses, farm homes.
(In response to this post by Archdale)
M
MikeVT85
11mo
seeing that it's located adjacent to "Plantation Road" in a wooded area long used for field research and wildlife studies. It probably fits in.
** Edited by MikeVT85 at 8/21/2025, 12:50:46 PM
Link:
LINK
(In response to this post by Archdale)
11mo
it's in, however, it is a little warehouse'y. But that's hard to criticize since a lot depends on the interior use of the facility. Are there tanks/ or other areas that can't have sunlight or are controlled in some way, or is a good deal of space storage for vehicles, then it makes sense. Maybe could have thrown some hokie stone in the foundation instead of just of what looks like a "parged" surface or concrete....but that could be a cost thing.
(In response to this post by Archdale)
11mo
and I will bet that this is being built with limited funds. It houses research and the state will only fund 50% max of a project if it includes research. This project is likely 100% internally funded and money is tight and construction costs have skyrocketed.
I managed a similar project for VCU at the Rice Center several years ago. The researchers raised all of the money and wanted the money spent on the inside of the building, not fancy architecture. In the end we built a good looking building that is appropriate for its context and that's what this looks like.
This may sound sacrilegious but you can overdo Hokie Stone.
(In response to this post by Archdale)
11mo
VT outsources/bids out most of their design and engineering in my experience.
** Edited by vthokieq at 8/21/2025, 1:02:08 PM
(In response to this post by KeithHokie89)
11mo
Architect is or at least should be actively involved in the design. We've had plenty of design concepts presented to us that we've had to toss in the crapper and tell them to try again. It's not a simple sign off.
(In response to this post by vthokieq)
11mo
Those buildings are all utilitarian....here's what's there now....
(In response to this post by Archdale)
V
VTtwins
11mo
(In response to this post by JoesterVT)
J
jdkhokie
11mo
(In response to this post by hoosnowahokie)
11mo
fine to me too.
(In response to this post by hoosnowahokie)
11mo
Link:
Click Here
(In response to this post by Stork)
11mo
cutting at VT recently.
(In response to this post by Archdale)
11mo
And I agree - I am guessing this design has been "value engineered" multiple times to arrive at the final iteration released to the public. As with everything, construction costs have become massively inflated over the past 5 years. I work in the commercial construction industry, and we have been asked to price cost-cutting options on many projects.
(In response to this post by hokeyhokie)
11mo
of that academic department, the designed struck me visually aligning well with both. Now whether that was by design, VT was looking to reduce construction cost, or a combination of both, the public will probably never that answer. In your line of work, what percentage of customers factor in the organization's primary mission when deciding what the exterior of the building will look like?
(In response to this post by MP4VT2004)