NOTE: This tour is for AIA NoVA Design Award Gala Attendees Only.

Academic Building One redefines what a 21st-century academic facility can be—where advanced technology, environmental performance, and human-centered design converge to create a living laboratory for innovation. As the cornerstone of Virginia Tech’s new Alexandria campus, this LEED Platinum–pending, 300,000-square-foot building extends the university’s reach into the heart of the region’s technology corridor, supporting the next generation of leaders in computer science and engineering. This tour offers an in-depth look at how design excellence and computational thinking shaped the building from concept to construction. Using advanced generative design tools, the project team evaluated more than 1,400 massing options to arrive at a faceted, high-performance form that responds precisely to site constraints, solar orientation, and programmatic needs. The resulting architecture is both iconic and purposeful—its geometry calibrated to enhance energy performance, occupant comfort, and urban presence. Participants will explore how these digital methodologies informed not only the building’s form but also its façade systems and environmental strategies. From photovoltaic-integrated glazing that modulates daylight and produces energy, to passive shading elements that balance glare control with expansive views, the envelope serves as a dynamic interface between occupants and environment. Inside, the building supports a diverse and highly specialized program—including AI and quantum labs, immersive visualization environments, and collaborative learning spaces—all organized to foster interaction across disciplines. These spaces are complemented by wellness-focused design elements, natural materials, and carefully modulated daylight, creating an environment that is both high-tech and deeply human. The tour will also highlight the building’s integrated sustainability strategies, including all-electric systems, hydronic radiant conditioning, and innovative water management approaches such as rain gardens and a large-scale cistern for reuse. Together, these systems position the project as a forward-looking model for reducing operational carbon while supporting cutting-edge research and education. More than a building, Academic Building One demonstrates how architecture can catalyze innovation—serving not only as a home for learning, but as a blueprint for the future of high-performance academic design.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how computational generative design strategies can be applied to evaluate multiple massing options and inform high-performance building form, articulation, and site responsiveness.
2. Evaluate the integration of advanced building systems—including Sewage Wastewater Energy Exchange (SWEE), geothermal, and all-electric strategies—to reduce energy use and operational carbon in large-scale institutional buildings.
3. Differentiate and select appropriate Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) technologies for façade applications based on performance, aesthetics, and occupant experience.
4. Analyze the geometry and performance of passive shading elements to optimize daylighting, views, glare control, and thermal comfort in high-performance building envelopes.

Course Code: NOVA2026-014
CE: 1.0 AIA LU|HSW