press release

February 15, 2007

John Paul Jones Arena named best New Major Concert Venue

VMDO Architects' JPJ chosen in international competition

University of Virginia’s John Paul Jones Arena was named Best New Concert Venue at the 18th annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards ceremony on February 8, 2007. Held at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, the award honorees were selected by a well-rounded group of concert business professionals and voted on by subscribers to Pollstar magazine. Designed to recognize the cream of the concert business, the awards honor touring artists and the professionals that keep them on the road. The award was accepted by Larry Wilson, General Manager of the John Paul Jones arena.

"Most venues focus on one thing at the expense of another. Either they're a good place to watch basketball or they're a good place to watch a performance... but not both," said Bob Moje of VMDO Architects. "We went to great lengths to accommodate both without compromising either." VMDO Architects of Charlottesville, VA was the lead designer of the award-winning facility.

“The JPJ Arena was designed not only as the best place in the country to play basketball but also as an outstanding facility for concerts and other events,” said Leonard W. Sandridge, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the University of Virginia. “It has been a special treat to see so many persons from our community attend events at the Arena. When we learned that Pollstar had recognized our facility, we were delighted.”

VMDO Architects was founded in 1976 and is the youngest firm to receive the T. David Fitz-Gibbon Virginia Architecture Award, the most prestigious honor given by the Virginia Society of American Institute of Architects.

For further information, interview, and photography opportunities in reference to this project and VMDO Architects, please contact William Bishop at 434.296.5684, email at bishop@vmdo.com.