Renovation and Expansion
University of Virginia, Charlottesville

This facility serves 6,000 clients annually at the University‘s medical center and had not been updated since opening in 1975. Ayers/Saint/Gross was hired to produce a pre-planning study for development of unused space and renovations and then to serve as architect for the renovation and expansion.

Overcrowding did not allow appropriate group or individual study, staff offices, computers, and educational areas. The project provided:

• 70 microcomputer stations
• Classrooms
• Audio/visual viewing
• Group study rooms
• Support staff offices
• Stacks
• Seating.

Previously unused basement space was expanded to house Technical Services and the Rare Books Collection, whose reading room is also a lecture hall. These collections are housed in compact shelving in a vault where humidity and temperature are controlled. On all levels, circulation has been clarified and sightlines improved. Public spaces were reorganized to take advantage of natural light.

Construction was completed floor-by-floor for minimal disruption of services.

Completion: 2000
Size: 62,250 gsf (renovation)
         7,150 gsf (expansion)
Cost: $3.6 million