Old Dominion University Secures State Funding for Construction of Next-Generation Engineering and Arts Building to Fuel Virginia’s Creative Tech Economy

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Serving as a Centerpiece for Regional Activity and Future Growth
The Engineering and Arts Building will be strategically integrated into the campus core with seamless connection to existing academic, research and campus life facilities, while remaining highly accessible to community neighbors and regional partners. As a primary engine for economic growth, the University’s engineering and arts programs annually graduate thousands of professionals to sustain and drive Virginia’s maritime, defense, technology and cultural sectors. With Old Dominion University serving as Hampton Roads’ flagship institution, the Engineering and Arts Building represents a unique regional hub explicitly designed to bridge the gap between rigorous technical engineering and creative human expression, thereby standing as a physical testament to 100 years of institutional evolution and lasting impact.

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Partnering on Design and Construction
To bring this innovative, dual-purpose facility to life, Old Dominion University is partnering with VMDO Architects, as well as Ballinger and Diamond Schmitt, for building design. “Our integrated design team was deeply energized and inspired by the way this project was conceived: a rare opportunity to imagine a building where the Batten College of Engineering and Technology and the College of Arts and Letters no longer stand apart, but intersect, influence and elevate one another,” said VMDO Architects Principal Joe Atkins.

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He added, “The design builds on this idea of convergence and will act as a campus gateway and active beacon. It will promote innovation, put creativity on display and be a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaboration as a dynamic research platform and student hub. We look forward to it becoming a remarkable and memorable place for convening both the campus and the community.”

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W.M. Jordan Company is providing construction management and has proven to be a strong partner for the University with regard to past projects, as well as regional leadership in advancing communities and the Commonwealth.

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Cultivating Tomorrow’s Creative Visionaries and Tech Leaders
The Engineering and Arts Building will feature tech-integrated classrooms, experiential design hubs, digital fabrication labs and public galleries, mirroring the evolving demands of modern technical and creative industries. While providing an elevated experience for the campus, community and Commonwealth, the Engineering and Arts Building will primarily serve the Batten College of Engineering and Technology and the College of Arts and Letters.

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Dean Jeffrey W. Fergus, Ph.D., said, “The Batten College of Engineering and Technology is excited about the opportunities the new Engineering and Arts Building will provide to accommodate our growing research enterprise and expand capabilities, especially in the areas of maritime systems, coastal resilience and national defense. The building will also provide spaces to support synergistic collaborations among faculty, staff and students from the arts and engineering to develop creative solutions to challenging problems.”

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Dean Laura Delbrugge, Ph.D., said, “The Engineering and Arts Building will bring transformative change to our students. Those studying music, theater, dance, art and film will collaborate and present their work in a setting that is both beautiful and technologically advanced. By creating a space where connections between arts and engineering can thrive, we will seed innovation and excellence. The building will also serve as a valuable community asset. In its performing arts venues, collaborative spaces and labs, the public will witness scientific and cultural advances made by Monarchs.”