In partnership with Balfour Beatty Construction and Kjellstrom + Lee Construction, VMDO designed the West Woods development that replaces an existing residence hall and dining hall that had reached the end of their useful lives. The new buildings are designed with ample social and academic space for learning, connection, and engagement in support of William & Mary’s Residential Learning Communities.

While this neighborhood houses nearly 1,000 students, the thoughtful consideration of the scale and orientation of the buildings maintains the character of the Old Campus. A pedestrian promenade, including a bridge through West Woods, links campus and community spaces both within the neighborhood and from New Campus to Old Campus. Outdoor spaces of varying scales provide opportunities for residents to engage in numerous planned and spontaneous activities while the courtyards signify primary entrances to the residence halls and create a sense of a warm and welcoming home.

The new West Woods dining hall celebrates its natural context with mass timber construction and expansive glass that preserves the views of the woods to the east and of the new campus quad to the west. A series of dining areas, each with unique views, will provide different experiences from vibrant and lively to small and private. The design serves a dual purpose not only to serve meals but also to provide a campus-wide amenity that students can enjoy in many ways.