Library Site, Modern Concept…

When the University and Hanbury Evans settled on the “J” shape for the Convergence Center, Hanbury Evans initially proposed a very modern design.

The most notable feature is the presence of large glass panes instead of the intricate segmented glass of the other buildings on campus.

This design included three main entrances, as opposed to the one that exists on the final building. One of these entrances would be connected to Campus Walk by a short bridge.

While the bridge entrance was not necessary to make the building work, it did add a very photogenic feature to the design. Some of the best concept art from Hanbury Evans is of the Convergence Garden from this proposal.⁴

While the University was excited by the idea of a modern look, the State of Virginia was not. Hanbury Evans was forced to take their design back to the drawing board and create what would become the final design for the HCC.⁵

The presentation detailing the layout of the Modern design can be found here. These documents, and more, can be found in The Collection of Jerry Slezak, and The Collection of Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company.

¹ Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company, Unnamed Profile View of the Library Site’s Modern Concept, nov. 12, 2008, 3000 x 911, JPG, The Collection of Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company.

² Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company, Unnamed Second Floor Plan of the Library Site’s Modern Concept, nov. 12, 2008, 3197 x 2697, JPG, The Collection of Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company.

³ Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company, Unnamed Sketch of the Convergence Garden of the Library Site’s Modern Concept, nov. 12, 2008, 3146 x 1772, JPG, The Collection of Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company.

⁴ In the opinion of the author.

^{5 SCUP PRESENTATION .PDF}