University of
Virginia
Clark Hall
Charlottesville, Virginia

Established in 1932, Clark Hall served first as law library at University of Virginia, Charlottesville, and then as library for a succession of scientific disciplines. Though still a vital University resource, by 2000 the building was in dire need of upgrade and expansion.

Designed by Ellenzweig Associates, the new Clark Hall houses Department of Environmental Sciences and the Science and Engineering Library. The University wanted to increase laboratory space and upgrade the existing building, including new mechanical and electrical building systems, and convert some existing space into expanded library use. The project featured 100,000 sf of renovations and a new four-story, 60,000 sf addition, which houses research labs and support areas for the Department of Environmental Sciences.

The addition and renovations were sensitively phased to accommodate ongoing building operations. The addition was built first allowing for the owner to move-in before the portions of the existing building were renovated. Phase I, the building addition, began construction in August 2000, with completion July 2002. Phase II, the renovations, began in May 2001, and was completed in May 2003.