VMDO partnered with the University of Virginia’s College at Wise to develop the 2035 Campus Master Plan, a framework for future growth that strengthens the academic core, enhances campus life, and builds on the College’s relationship to its landscape. The plan continues a long-standing collaboration including earlier campus planning, design guidelines, and projects that helped transform the campus into a more connected and residential environment. Grounded in stakeholder engagement, the plan prioritizes pedestrian connectivity, outdoor space, flexible learning environments, and strategic reinvestment in existing facilities.

Set within the dramatic topography of Southwest Virginia, UVA Wise has evolved from a small regional college into a distinctive liberal arts institution – one defined by close community, strong identity, and a deep connection to place. Earlier planning efforts established a framework that embraced the site’s natural terrain—organizing the campus into “upper” and “lower” zones connected by a unifying spine and a network of pedestrian pathways.

The 2035 Campus Master Plan reinforces the heart of UVA Wise by strengthening the academic core, enhancing pedestrian connectivity, positioning buildings as hubs of student life, and preserving the surrounding landscape. Key features include flexible, technology-rich learning environments, active collaboration, informal student interaction, and faculty engagement. The framework provides a road map for future investment, supporting growth, adaptability, and long-term stewardship.