RADFORD, Va.—Swedish design-build firm Skanska and architect Hord Coplan Macht, based in Baltimore, indeed have reason to celebrate at Radford University, located in the southwestern portion of the Old Dominion.

The two firms joined with personnel from Radford for a topping-out ceremony, held this summer, for the Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity Project, or CAIC, an interdisciplinary educational facility that is the largest capital construction project at Radford ever in terms of both cost and space. The 178,000-square-foot structure is replacing the current College of Visual and Performing Arts.

The CAIC will be home to courses in technology, health sciences and the arts across a cross-curricular environment. In addition to traditional classrooms, the CAIC will host fashion and design labs, arts studios, a photography studio and darkroom, dance studios, offices, administrative spaces as well as collaborative areas. Furthermore, the CAIC will be the home of a new 500-seat performing arts space for all manner of events.

According to the design specifications from architect Hord Coplan Macht, the CAIC will be anchored by a central performance hub and cafeteria space that is meant to foster gatherings.  Multiple classrooms with large windows located along this central axis will allow visitors to observe learning happening in real time.

Materials used throughout the CAIC as part of the designer’s modern motif include operable partitions and interior glazing. Barn doors stand in as a literal representation of removing the “barriers” that might exist between various learning disciplines. Hord Coplan Macht, the architect, claims that the CAIC will be a center not only of innovative learning but also a hub for the entire campus.

“Radford University is excited about the transformational educational opportunities this new facility will provide our students with an innovative approach to visual and performing arts and health education through interdisciplinary research,” Stephanie Jennelle, interim vice president for finance and administration at Radford University, said during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Added Greg Peele, executive vice president responsible for Skanska’s North Carolina and Virginia building operations: “The new Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity will offer modern classrooms and other spaces to welcome and inspire students, faculty, and staff at Radford University for generations to come.”

At the topping-out event, representatives of all three entities signed the ceremonial top steel beam. Under the project’s current timeline, the CAIC will be finished by the end of 2023.

Skanska, which has been in business for over 135 years, has grown into one of the largest construction and development firms in the world, with satellite offices in Scandinavia, Europe and the United States.

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RADFORD, Va.—Global development and construction firm Skanska, whose home base is in Sweden, has been selected by Radford University to construct the college’s Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity. The $102 million, 177,917-square-foot building will replace the existing College of Visual and Performing Arts. The Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity will be the largest capital construction project ever at Radford University in terms of total funding and square footage.

The center will offer a new model of interdisciplinary learning among programs in the arts, health sciences and technology all together under one roof. The new facility will feature health sciences labs, painting and drawing studios, music and dance rooms, collaborative spaces, fashion and design labs, as well as a 475-seat performing arts theatre auditorium.

Skanska’s segment of the work represents $80.5 million of the total $102 million project budget.

“The new Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity will offer the most modern classrooms that are adaptable not only for how classes are taught today but how they are envisioned for the future,” Dr. Brian O. Hemphill, president of Radford University, said in a recent statement. “The new building is of the utmost importance to the students, faculty, and staff at Radford University, and will provide much needed space to welcome and inspire its users for generations to come.”

Greg Peele, executive vice president of Skanska’s North Carolina and Virginia building operations, said that his firm is excited to usher in a new era for Radford’s students, faculty and staff.

“The new CAIC building will allow for the integration of programs for innovative research, study and socialization with modern amenities and spaces for students to prosper,” Peele said.

Construction is anticipated to commence this summer, with a projected completion toward the end of 2023.

Skanska’s U.S. headquarters are in New York, and the firm has 28 offices throughout the United States employing 8,000 people.

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