At UVA, the new data science center blends classic looks with contemporary sustainability

The Architect's Newspaper
October 28, 2021
rendering of new building on Emmett and Ivy

London’s Hopkins Architects is continuing its streak of ambitious American academic buildings with the groundbreaking of a new hall for the University of Virginia’s (UVA) School of Data Science on October 21.

Established in January of 2019 after the school received a $120 million gift from alumni Jaffray Woodriff and wife Merrill Woodriff through the Quantitative Foundation, the new School of Data Science will be UVA’s 12th, and the first new school since 2007. Fittingly, the school’s physical home in Charlottesville, Virginia, will also serve as the anchor of UVA’s ongoing, phased master plan to further build out the UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed campus. Local firm VMDO Architects is serving as executive architect, and both are working in tandem with UVA’s Office of the Architect.

“This groundbreaking is for the first building project of the Emmet/Ivy corridor, which we believe will be a hub for the University community, with classrooms; offices; gathering, exhibition and performance space; and a hotel and conference center,” said Vice Rector Robert Hardie at the groundbreaking ceremony, according to UVA Today. “And it is fitting that our newest school should be located here. Data Science is the here and now, and the future, and we want to provide our students with cutting-edge facilities and resources so that they can go out in the world and make important contributions to industry, government and academia.”

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