Built in 1966 and renovated in 2014, Stubbs Hall serves as one of two all-female communities at Longwood University – housing a total of 184 upper division women in a suite-style environment. Ten national sororities, including four alpha chapters that were founded at Longwood, are located in Stubbs.
The scope of the 2014 renovation included a full replacement of building systems and finishes. VMDO focused the architectural design opportunities on improving the quality of Stubbs’ common spaces – primarily through improved daylighting, attractive finishes, and relevant and engaging graphics.
By reconfiguring the spaces on the building’s ground floor, VMDO transformed the Sisterhood Room from an under-utilized lounge into a light-filled, welcoming, multi-use environment. With open and connected lounge, kitchen, laundry and study space, the building’s common spaces inspire students to socialize, study, collaborate, and form bonds that expand beyond the independent sororities.
The 2014 renovation included re-design of the chapter rooms available to each of Longwood’s ten sororities. Frequented by sisters who live in Stubbs and elsewhere, each chapter room is a sorority’s permanent living room and social center. The chapter rooms share common design features and amenities, but also express their own independent identities. Marked from the corridor with an etched glass crest and from the interior by unique paint colors and furniture selection, each chapter room creates a memorable sense of home for each sorority. One student commented: "Our Crest looks amazing! I am in awe of how something so small could make me feel like I am part of something so much larger than myself.”
A new meeting room at the building’s south end creates a 900 square foot space for the sororities to gather for larger chapter and recruiting meetings. Flexible furniture, smart screen technology, and lighting controls support a wide variety of gatherings. Meanwhile, a supergraphic connects the history of sorority life at Longwood with the reach of all ten sororities across the country. The graphic reminds sisters of their place in a rich campus history and broad network of national connections.
Client: Longwood University
Location: Farmville, VA
Discipline: Residence Life, Sustainable Design
Completion: 2014
Size: 52,000 SF