ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The most agreeable development in the Commonwealth of Virginia’s bid1 for Amazon HQ2 is the Virginia Tech innovation campus. Located in Potomac Yard2, the construction of the first academic building was recently topped-out.
Lots of glass, but little or no Hokie Stone
The first building is modern glass architecture. As far as I can tell, the building is missing a feature distinctive to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University – Hokie Stone.
Hokie Stone is dolomite, a mineral found in the Appalachian Mountains and most prevalent in Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama. A sedimentary rock, it formed from calcium and magnesium carbonate and occurs in muted shades of pink, red, gray, brown, and black.
All about Hokie Stone – Virginia Tech
Anybody who has ever been on the Blacksburg campus has seen the distinctive Hokie Stone buildings. It’s unique and gives the campus its own identity.
Hokie Stone is not required outside of the main campus (WTOP). I can understand not wanting to make a stone façade for 10+ story building. However, a Hokie Stone frieze seems like good branding, doesn’t it? A 2020 story, Design of first Innovation Campus building centers on sustainability and connectivity, mentions Hokie Stone:
SmithGroup is also taking inspiration from Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus by including dolomite limestone (“Hokie Stone”) in the landscape, and together with the university’s staff, is exploring special use of the stone at the base of the building, to balance the glass and metal facades with the warmth and solidity of natural stone.
Perhaps the interior features the dolomite.
Not at Potomac Yard VT Metro either
In addition to the campus, using Hokie Stone on the new Potomac Yard VT station would been a big win. Due to its proximity to the National Park Service’s George Washington Memorial Parkway, a natural stone facing was required on the station. Oh what could have been.
Counterpoint
I ran this idea by an old friend who knows a bit about architecture and Virginia Tech. I was surprised that my sentiments for a Hokie Stone-inclusive design were not shared. Perhaps there is certain provincialism amongst the alumni about building materials. Or maybe it’s just my friend. Nevertheless, I’m delighted this campus is coming to my city.
Footnotes
1 I’m not excited for corporate welfare for one of the five most valuable corporations in world history that probably increased my the cost of living. At least the pause announced in March (Arlington Now) means that incentives will wait (Bloomberg).
2 I’m not feeling “National Landing” either.