CPL, in partnership with S.B. Ballard Construction Company and Niles Bolton Associates, played a key role in the design-build team for Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) West Grace Street Housing North Residence Hall.
Completed
2013
Size
146,500 sq. ft.
Services
Architecture
This five-story, LEED Silver-certified facility provides 388 beds in a mix of apartment-style and efficiency units, thoughtfully designed to support the evolving lifestyles of VCU’s diverse student community.
Guided by the University’s vision to reflect its entrepreneurial spirit and urban identity, the design achieves a careful balance of contemporary expression and timeless appeal. The residence hall goes beyond housing, integrating an adaptable international education center that enriches the student experience through spaces for collaborative learning, cultural exchange and academic engagement.
Interior layouts emphasize flexibility, allowing spaces to be easily reconfigured to accommodate changing programmatic needs. On the exterior, a sophisticated palette of metal panels, brick, cast stone and glass establishes a distinctive architectural presence that resonates with the campus context while projecting a forward-looking identity.
Through a holistic approach to sustainability, adaptability and user-centered design, the project delivers more than just a residence—it creates an environment that fosters community, supports academic growth and enhances the vitality of campus life.
