Anonymous wrote:Now that we've established that there are many beautiful campuses, what is the LEAST attractive campus in Virginia? My vote would be VCU

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:For UVA - imo Darden and the lawn side of campus is really pretty but there are also a lot of really ugly/not in the UVA style. Clemons, Arts and Architecture buildings and some of the STEM buildings come to mind. And their new buildings don't really look that much like UVA.

W&M has the same problem on a smaller scale, but it looks like with the dorm reconstruction on west campus and the replacement of older buildings by Swem they're trying to return to the colonial style again. The b school building was built maybe 10 years ago and looks gorgeous.

I like both campuses, probably preferring W&M overall, but I differ with you in that I think both both schools are too conservative with projects for my tastes. Darden was a mini version of the lawn in an area that is far removed from the lawn. I think a less traditional approach would have been better and more appropriate for modern business education. It is out of step with what other schools have done. W&M's business school is kind of a massive traditional interpretation of the 300+ year old Wren building, and again is far removed from it in location. I think another approach for that location would have been better. (Both of these complexes had the same architect.) UVA's South Lawn project seemed kind of silly to me. UVA agonized and debated over the project, replaced architects, saw a near revolt in the Architecture school. South Lawn was a complete misnomer. It is not visible from the Lawn as the view is blocked by Cabell Hall. It is located down a hill, across a busy street, and its site is in something akin to a gully. It didn't need to try to tie back to Jeffersonian architecture. I think Jefferson would want the school to move ahead in architecture.

Perhaps both schools are a bit gun shy because their modern architecture projects in the 1960s and 1970s were not good at all and they have been trying to fix and replace them ever since. However, those project might have failed because they were too conservative. Yale had notable modern projects in that time period that have become part of the fabric of the school.

Whose buildings in the 60s and 70s turned out well? Those are always a monstrosity on any campus. Or very uncomfortable

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For UVA - imo Darden and the lawn side of campus is really pretty but there are also a lot of really ugly/not in the UVA style. Clemons, Arts and Architecture buildings and some of the STEM buildings come to mind. And their new buildings don't really look that much like UVA.

W&M has the same problem on a smaller scale, but it looks like with the dorm reconstruction on west campus and the replacement of older buildings by Swem they're trying to return to the colonial style again. The b school building was built maybe 10 years ago and looks gorgeous.

I like both campuses, probably preferring W&M overall, but I differ with you in that I think both both schools are too conservative with projects for my tastes. Darden was a mini version of the lawn in an area that is far removed from the lawn. I think a less traditional approach would have been better and more appropriate for modern business education. It is out of step with what other schools have done. W&M's business school is kind of a massive traditional interpretation of the 300+ year old Wren building, and again is far removed from it in location. I think another approach for that location would have been better. (Both of these complexes had the same architect.) UVA's South Lawn project seemed kind of silly to me. UVA agonized and debated over the project, replaced architects, saw a near revolt in the Architecture school. South Lawn was a complete misnomer. It is not visible from the Lawn as the view is blocked by Cabell Hall. It is located down a hill, across a busy street, and its site is in something akin to a gully. It didn't need to try to tie back to Jeffersonian architecture. I think Jefferson would want the school to move ahead in architecture.

Perhaps both schools are a bit gun shy because their modern architecture projects in the 1960s and 1970s were not good at all and they have been trying to fix and replace them ever since. However, those project might have failed because they were too conservative. Yale had notable modern projects in that time period that have become part of the fabric of the school.

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Anonymous wrote:Toured UVA this past fall. Agree it is going downhill and needs a good pressure washing. The secrecy society grafitii is definitely a turn off as well.

Either you didn't tour or you weren't listening. Those are benevolent philanthropic societies of great historical and financial importance to the university. They have raised 100s of millions of dollars for the welfare of UVA, Charlottesville, and financial aid. Please read and learn. It is considered a great honor to be tapped for one of them. They are secret because they teach philanthropy. In some of the societies, even the member's family don't learn their family member was a member and donated time and money to the University for decades following graduation. A wreath appears at the funeral. That is all. It's a great educational tool for everyone in Charlottesville and the surrounding areas. And by the way is a world UNESCO site. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_societies_at_the_University_of_Virginia. The only university in America that is. UVA is consistently ranked one of the most beautiful campuses in America: "UVA is regarded as one of the most beautiful and prestigious universities in the world. In 1987, UNESCO named the University (in conjunction with Monticello) a World Heritage Site. This rare distinction has been bestowed upon only the world's most culturally significant landmarks..

Please stop the UVa bashing. It's not constructive. My DD wasn't even a contender for it but as a Virginian, I am very proud of the 33 institutions of higher learning that we offer, as well as the Governor's schools. It's just not cool to bash like this, especially when it's clear you don't know what you are talking about.

DP. Good grief.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For UVA - imo Darden and the lawn side of campus is really pretty but there are also a lot of really ugly/not in the UVA style. Clemons, Arts and Architecture buildings and some of the STEM buildings come to mind. And their new buildings don't really look that much like UVA.

W&M has the same problem on a smaller scale, but it looks like with the dorm reconstruction on west campus and the replacement of older buildings by Swem they're trying to return to the colonial style again. The b school building was built maybe 10 years ago and looks gorgeous.

I like both campuses, probably preferring W&M overall, but I differ with you in that I think both both schools are too conservative with projects for my tastes. Darden was a mini version of the lawn in an area that is far removed from the lawn. I think a less traditional approach would have been better and more appropriate for modern business education. It is out of step with what other schools have done. W&M's business school is kind of a massive traditional interpretation of the 300+ year old Wren building, and again is far removed from it in location. I think another approach for that location would have been better. (Both of these complexes had the same architect.) UVA's South Lawn project seemed kind of silly to me. UVA agonized and debated over the project, replaced architects, saw a near revolt in the Architecture school. South Lawn was a complete misnomer. It is not visible from the Lawn as the view is blocked by Cabell Hall. It is located down a hill, across a busy street, and its site is in something akin to a gully. It didn't need to try to tie back to Jeffersonian architecture. I think Jefferson would want the school to move ahead in architecture.

Perhaps both schools are a bit gun shy because their modern architecture projects in the 1960s and 1970s were not good at all and they have been trying to fix and replace them ever since. However, those project might have failed because they were too conservative. Yale had notable modern projects in that time period that have become part of the fabric of the school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virginia Tech, JMU, Mary Washington, and Christopher Newport are my favorites.

I graduated from Mary Washington and always thought it was an incredibly beautiful campus. The planners, however, need to be careful not to overbuild the site or eliminate the open space and vistas that give the campus such character. I understand the need to modernize, but a lot of students love the school for its classic red brick architecture.

Totally agree. W&M is my favorite campus and UMW is a close second. Really don't like CNU. Felt sterile and soulless, like a corporate conference center.

same! it's beautiful, but felt like Disney or entering a bank - just overdone for college students.

UR is just gorgeous (thou lacking a common quad area).

reading this thread - I want to visit Mary Baldwin!

Anonymous wrote:For UVA - imo Darden and the lawn side of campus is really pretty but there are also a lot of really ugly/not in the UVA style. Clemons, Arts and Architecture buildings and some of the STEM buildings come to mind. And their new buildings don't really look that much like UVA.

W&M has the same problem on a smaller scale, but it looks like with the dorm reconstruction on west campus and the replacement of older buildings by Swem they're trying to return to the colonial style again. The b school building was built maybe 10 years ago and looks gorgeous.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virginia Tech, JMU, Mary Washington, and Christopher Newport are my favorites.

I graduated from Mary Washington and always thought it was an incredibly beautiful campus. The planners, however, need to be careful not to overbuild the site or eliminate the open space and vistas that give the campus such character. I understand the need to modernize, but a lot of students love the school for its classic red brick architecture.

Totally agree. W&M is my favorite campus and UMW is a close second. Really don't like CNU. Felt sterile and soulless, like a corporate conference center.

Anonymous wrote:Subjective of course. I’m partial to campuses with (1) a recurring style and (2) a big open area. Virginia Tech, Radford, and University of Lynchburg. Don’t discount Randolph Macon.

Anonymous wrote:Out of stater here - W&M alum with a student there now - you have SO MANY beautiful campuses in Virginia!
What a wonderful array of public and private schools. Amazing