Construction Projects

Virginia Commonwealth Shows Off New Engineering Research Building — Virtually

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 02/04/21

Virginia Commonwealth University's College of Engineering is celebrating the opening of its new Engineering Research Building this week — virtually.

According to the university, the 133,000-square-foot building is intended to support advanced research and economic development initiatives with a design that emphasizes makerspaces, collaborative research facilities and flexible gathering areas. Maker resources will include 3D printing, bench electrical fabrication, tabletop equipment and hand tools, industrial-scale manual and CNC mills and lathes.

Situated in in close proximity to both one of the institution's engineering buildings and its School of Business, the new structure significantly expands the college's laboratory capacity.

Among the features of the new facility are:

• Interdisciplinary research laboratories;

• Experiential learning facilities;

• Meeting and gathering spaces;

• Informal meeting and study areas;

• A career services center;

• Wired outdoor work and gathering spaces; and

• The "Ram Bytes" café.

University and elected officials were expected to participate in a ribbon cutting broadcast and tour over Zoom on Feb. 3, 2021.

Planning was initially done in 2015. The design was done by Richmond-based architecture firm Baskervill and Boston-based firm Goody Clancy.