For Immediate Release: December 3, 2007
HGA Selected to Design Expanded Arts Building at Longwood University in Virginia
Minneapolis, MN - HGA Architects and Engineers (HGA) has been selected to design a major renovation and addition to Bedford Hall Arts Building housing the visual and studio arts programs at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. HGA was selected for its national expertise designing higher educational facilities for the arts, including visual arts, studio arts, museums and galleries on university and college campuses.
"Longwood University is committed to supporting its rapidly expanding arts programs," says Gary Reetz, vice president and principal with HGA. "This is an exciting opportunity for HGA to apply its deep technical knowledge of arts-facility design and safety issues while delivering an architecturally compatible, state-of-the-art building that will enable Longwood to achieve its educational goals."
The $27 million renovation/addition will nearly double the 26,000-square-foot Bedford Hall, a two-story facility built in 1971. HGA will reconfigure interior spaces, update mechanical and electrical systems, and design a two-story addition to accommodate concentrations in graphic design, photography, crafts, art history, drawing and printmaking, and painting, among other disciplines. The expanded building will include classrooms, laboratories, shops, studios, galleries, and administrative offices. HGA will pay particular attention to such safety factors as ventilation, lighting and durable surfaces to offset the potential hazards of chemicals, off-gassing and dust associated with studio-arts projects.
Located at the south end of the 60-acre campus in rural Virginia, Bedford Hall is part of an emerging cultural corridor near Wygal Hall Music Department and the planned Communication Studies and Theater building.
HGA is the lead design firm providing architectural and engineering services. Moseley Architects of Virginia is working with HGA as the architect of record.
Longwood University is a comprehensive state university founded in 1839 with an enrollment of 4,100 students in bachelor's and master's programs.
Construction on Bedford Hall renovation and addition is expected to begin summer 2008, with completion slated for 2010.
HGA Contact: Julie Luers (612) 758-4000 e-mail JLuers@hga.com
Media Contact: Susan Evans, Evans Larson (612) 338-6999 e-mail susan@evanslarson.com