Radford Selects Construction Firm for $102M Arts, Innovation Facility

Radford University in Radford, Va., has selected construction and development firm Skanska to build its new, $102-million Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity (CAIC). The 177,917-square-foot facility will replace the existing College of Visual and Performing Arts and provide interdisciplinary student spaces. Skanska’s portion of the project is set to cost $80.5 million.

The building will be the largest capital project in the university’s history, in terms of both square footage and total funding. The facility will create space for collaboration among the university’s arts, health sciences, and technology programs. Its amenities will include a 475-seat performing arts auditorium; fashion, interior design, and health sciences labs; painting, drawing, music, and dance studios; maker and printer spaces; and classrooms, administrative offices, and collaboration space.

“The new Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity will offer the most modern classrooms that are adaptable for not only how classes are taught today, but how they are envisioned for the future,” said Radford University President Brian Hemphill. “The new building is of the utmost importance to the students, faculty and staff at Radford University and will provide much-needed space to welcome and inspire its users for generations to come.”

Work is scheduled to begin in June 2021 and to be finished by the end of 2023. The facility was designed by Hord Coplan Macht, Inc.

“We are excited to enhance the educational experience of the students, faculty and staff at Radford University,” said Greg Peele, executive vice president for Skanska’s North Carolina and Virginia building operations. “The new CAIC building will allow for the integration of programs for innovative research, study and socialization with modern amenities and spaces for students to prosper.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Western Kentucky University Breaks Ground on First Phase of $350M Student Housing Project

    Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Bowling Green, Ky., recently broke ground on the first phase of a $350-million student housing initiative, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Gilbane Development through a public-private partnership (P3) to replace aging residence halls and modernize on-campus living accommodations.

  • Wenger Names New Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts, Controls

    Wenger Corporation, which provides products and solutions for music and theater education, performing arts and athletic storage, recently announced the hiring of a new Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts and Controls.

  • Esports are Growing in Popularity

    Video games and esports are a popular social hobby, and it’s one that’s accessible to a wide variety of physical ability levels. Some esport student-athletes have started to earn scholarship opportunities, and high schools are beginning to form teams equipped with the same degree of resources as their physical sports teams. However, the two have very different needs.

  • Michigan District Breaks Ground on Sheridan Road School

    The Lansing School District in Lansing, Mich., recently broke ground on the new Sheridan Road School, according to a district news release. The school will measure 61,525 square feet and serve students in grades 5–8.