UVa’s Massie Road Plant, located behind John Paul Jones Arena, will serve the heating and cooling needs for much of the projected build-out of the athletic precinct and North Grounds.

This machine-in-the-garden is conceived as a simple container, with mechanical openings piercing the container as needed. A playfully detailed mechanical screen wraps the upper portion of the “container” concealing nearly all of the various intakes and exhaust. An artful logic establishes the pattern of slats in the louvered mechanical screen, sometimes concealing and sometimes revealing the nature of the surface behind the screen.

Architect of Record   VMDO Architects | Steve Davis, Lead Designer

Project Facts

11,000 GSF

$6,000,000

Completed June 2006.

Energy Use: Not available

Awards and Recognition

Merit Award for Excellence, Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects