Transformation

Beginning with an investigation of various physical, historical, and institutional circumstances, we study places in dialogue with their communities – in order to design environments that offer:

Enduring Architecture

Campus Destinations

Flexibility for the Future

Enduring Architecture

People, priorities, trends, finances. These are all things that change and should be expected to change over time. Architecture adds value to communities through its ability to endure, to transcend, and to uplift. VMDO's body of work exemplifies that each of our buildings is a studied response to a specific design problem. These challenges may change based on the time, place, and needs of a community, or may be ongoing and ever-changing.

The architectural response must embrace change while creating an enduring and elevated sense of place that is welcoming for all. Beginning with an investigation of various physical, historical, and institutional circumstances, we study places in dialogue with their communities – in order to design environments that make positive contributions over time. Only from such in-depth investigation and interaction can true and lasting transformation occur.

Enduring Architecture

People, priorities, trends, finances. These are all things that change and should be expected to change over time. Architecture adds value to communities through its ability to endure, to transcend, and to uplift. VMDO's body of work exemplifies that each of our buildings is a studied response to a specific design problem. These challenges may change based on the time, place, and needs of a community, or may be ongoing and ever-changing.

The architectural response must embrace change while creating an enduring and elevated sense of place that is welcoming for all. Beginning with an investigation of various physical, historical, and institutional circumstances, we study places in dialogue with their communities – in order to design environments that make positive contributions over time. Only from such in-depth investigation and interaction can true and lasting transformation occur.

Transformation

Campus Destinations

Campuses can help to unify and deepen a sense of belonging, both to a larger human community and to each unique place, history, and institution. By co-locating programs, campus destinations can create a cultural hub with measurable impact on utilization rate, student satisfaction, and sense of belonging. As we have found in our campus projects for universities both large and small – from Clemson University and the University of Virginia to Sweet Briar College and Young Harris College – program overlaps also translate into a more efficient and affordable building that can be flexibly arranged to support an endless combination of needs on campus. Small details can add up to large-scale campus transformations that, once in place, feel as though they’ve always existed.

Campus Destinations

Campuses can help to unify and deepen a sense of belonging, both to a larger human community and to each unique place, history, and institution. By co-locating programs, campus destinations can create a cultural hub with measurable impact on utilization rate, student satisfaction, and sense of belonging. As we have found in our campus projects for universities both large and small – from Clemson University and the University of Virginia to Sweet Briar College and Young Harris College – program overlaps also translate into a more efficient and affordable building that can be flexibly arranged to support an endless combination of needs on campus. Small details can add up to large-scale campus transformations that, once in place, feel as though they’ve always existed.

Transformation
Transformation

Flexibility for the Future

Learning communities can develop in any space, at any given time – online, in person, in groups, or in intimate collaborations; paired with food, friends, or the comfort of headphones. No longer is a campus building just a series of classrooms and offices; it is also a student commons, a living room, a classroom, a makerspace, a suite of student services, and a coffee shop – a place to be, meet, do, learn, live, collaborate, study, and see and be seen.

In our K-12 work, we focus on creating distinct learning neighborhoods that are flexible enough to allow students to be agile and independent while experiencing the benefits of learning in a shared environment. This sense of community is reinforced through visual connections between spaces and the outdoors, as well as with place-based environmental graphics and wayfinding that empower students to become stewards of their school and feel connected to the larger world around them. If we can help harness each child’s curiosity for learning and responsibility for their community and environment, then what a world of transformation we will all benefit from and experience.

Flexibility for the Future

Learning communities can develop in any space, at any given time – online, in person, in groups, or in intimate collaborations; paired with food, friends, or the comfort of headphones. No longer is a campus building just a series of classrooms and offices; it is also a student commons, a living room, a classroom, a makerspace, a suite of student services, and a coffee shop – a place to be, meet, do, learn, live, collaborate, study, and see and be seen.

In our K-12 work, we focus on creating distinct learning neighborhoods that are flexible enough to allow students to be agile and independent while experiencing the benefits of learning in a shared environment. This sense of community is reinforced through visual connections between spaces and the outdoors, as well as with place-based environmental graphics and wayfinding that empower students to become stewards of their school and feel connected to the larger world around them. If we can help harness each child’s curiosity for learning and responsibility for their community and environment, then what a world of transformation we will all benefit from and experience.

Transformation

More on Transformation

Young Harris College Rollins Campus Center + Miller Library

Young Harris College Rollins Campus Center + Miller Library

The 3.5-story glass, brick, and stone building creates a new hub of bustling activity, uniting social…

Read More
Sweet Briar Cochran Library Renovation + Addition

Sweet Briar Cochran Library Renovation + Addition

VMDO’s addition to Cram’s library aims to respect the architect’s vision for the building by strategically…

Read More

We're using cookies to deliver you the best user experience. Learn More