New River Valley Times

The Bigger Picture: Contemplating the Commons

Progress is impossible to miss on the University of Virginia’s Contemplative Commons building, which will combine classrooms, a research laboratory and an innovation hub with serene, contemplative spaces. The U-shaped building, which opens onto the Dell Pond, was designed as a multipurpose complex dedicated to helping students flourish in all aspects of their lives through flexible learning studios that can be used for classes, quiet reflection, physical activity or social interaction.

The 57,000-square-foot building on Emmet Street, scheduled to open this year, will feature academic activities during the day, and be available to host extracurricular events, such as social gatherings and local community engagements, on evenings and weekends. It also features a new, more accessible pedestrian bridge across Emmet Street, replacing an aging span adjacent to Ridley Hall.

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