The project: The Creativity & Innovation District Living-Learning Community (CID LLP) at Virginia Tech is a pioneering 202,000-sf, six-story residence hall offering 596 beds and nearly 30,000-sf of dedicated public space for arts, performance, maker, and research-based experiences. Located on the eastern edge of campus, adjacent to downtown Blacksburg, it anchors the new Creativity & Innovation District.

The goal: CID LLP was developed to foster holistic, interdisciplinary student learning by integrating residential life with creativity, innovation, arts, and performance programming. Three curated Living-Learning Communities – Innovate, Studio 72, and Rhizome – collaborate within the building to cultivate artistic and entrepreneurial communities.

The design:

• Structural system: The upper floors use the Eco Span system, comprising concrete slabs on deck supported by composite bar joists on cold-formed metal studs – selected for efficient erection, fire safety, and cost-effectiveness.
• Programming & layout: The ground and second floors host creative spaces: performance halls, studio/maker spaces, an auditorium, library, metal/wood/welding shops, and visible gallery zones. Above are residential units for up to 600 students, including upperclassmen, student-athletes, and live-in faculty.
• Architectural expression: A central light-filled spine encourages interaction and transparency. The exterior blends Hokie Stone, curtain wall, metal panels, and communal rooftop green areas. Glass pedestrian bridges and courtyards connect to campus and downtown.

The outcome: The building opened in August 2021, with a grand opening event held in November 2021. CID has rapidly become a hub of creativity and cross-disciplinary collaboration. It received the DBIA MidAtlantic’s 2022 Project of the Year and Excellence in Architecture awards. Students and community members engage daily in programming designed to blur the lines between creative expression and living-learning integration.