Project Overview
The new Biological Sciences building will be located in the heart of campus, nestled in the science quad adjacent to the Mills-Godwin building, the Webb Center and the Oceanography and Physical Sciences building. Contractors will demolish the Alfriend Chemistry Building, the Pretlow Planetarium, and the Arthur and Phyllis Kaplan Orchid Conservatory to build the new five-story facility that will house the Department of Biological Sciences, the new Arthur and Phyllis Kaplan Orchid Conservatory, and state-of-the-art classrooms teaching labs, research labs and the College of Sciences Dean’s Office Suite. The site is located adjacent to and will engage with an existing stormwater pond as a focus of integrating the building and site creating a teaching landscape. With this transformative building, Â鶹¹ÙÍø students, faculty, and those in the community will be able to experience science on an immersive level.
Groundbreaking Ceremony
VMDO and Â鶹¹ÙÍø project managers gather for a photo. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
VIP guests, Board of Visitors, and Â鶹¹ÙÍø student rep attend event. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Tatyana Lobova, Lauren Moses, Dean Gail Dodge, Chair & Professor Holly Gaff gather for a photo. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Master Lecturer Biology Tatyana Lobova speaks to the crowd. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Board of Visitors Member Ross A. Mugler in attendance. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
President Brian Hemphill addresses the crowd. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
President Hemphill, Provost, Dean Gail Dodge, and Norfolk City Council members break ground. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Biomedical sciences student, Lauren Moses speaks to the crowd. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Interim Provost Brian Payne addresses the crowd. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
College of Sciences Dean Gail Dodge speaks to the crowd. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Department of Biological Sciences Chair and Professor Holly Gaff addresses the crowd. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Cathy Lewis Emcee speaks to the crowd. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Norfolk Councilman Carlos Clanton in attendance. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
College of Sciences Advisors in attendance. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
VMDO and Â鶹¹ÙÍø project managers gather for a photo. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
VIP guests, Board of Visitors, and Â鶹¹ÙÍø student rep attend event. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Tatyana Lobova, Lauren Moses, Dean Gail Dodge, Chair & Professor Holly Gaff gather for a photo. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Master Lecturer Biology Tatyana Lobova speaks to the crowd. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Board of Visitors Member Ross A. Mugler in attendance. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
President Brian Hemphill addresses the crowd. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
President Hemphill, Provost, Dean Gail Dodge, and Norfolk City Council members break ground. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Biomedical sciences student, Lauren Moses speaks to the crowd. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Interim Provost Brian Payne addresses the crowd. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
College of Sciences Dean Gail Dodge speaks to the crowd. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Department of Biological Sciences Chair and Professor Holly Gaff addresses the crowd. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Cathy Lewis Emcee speaks to the crowd. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
Norfolk Councilman Carlos Clanton in attendance. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
College of Sciences Advisors in attendance. Image by Chuck Thomas/Â鶹¹ÙÍø
In the News
Message From the Dean
The new Biological Sciences building will exemplify the outstanding educational and research opportunities available to the Â鶹¹ÙÍø community. The many students who take courses in Biological Sciences will enjoy state-of-the art teaching laboratories and classrooms, along with resources to support student success and inviting spaces for gathering with friends. Faculty will have cutting-edge research laboratories and core equipment to support their research. Working together, faculty and students will transform the educational experience, emphasizing hands-on, practical, and impactful projects.Â
We look forward to increased collaborative research with the faculty and students in the Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Center, enabled by the flexible space in this building. We are especially excited about the new Kaplan Orchid Conservatory, which will be included with a spectacular display house for exotic plants. The area outside the building around the pond will be landscaped to provide a beautiful place for events. The building is located in the heart of the sciences quad and has four fronts -Â every entrance has been designed for optimal aesthetic views.
We need your help to support the high-quality educational programs made possible by the new building. Please consider naming a space in the building or establishing a new scholarship to allow more students to benefit from these opportunities. There are many ways for you to make a difference!
Gail Dodge, Ph.D. Dean of College of Science
Message From the Department Chair
I am thrilled to share with you the exciting news that we are about to start the process of building a new Biological Sciences building! The new facility has been designed with the needs of our students, faculty, and staff in mind.
It features state-of-the-art classrooms, collaborative workspaces, and cutting-edge laboratories that will greatly enhance our teaching and research capabilities. We will also have a natural history museum, research greenhouse space, and a core facility for share equipment. This building will not only provide a modern and inspiring environment but also foster a sense of community and collaboration among us all.
The focus on research capabilities will reshape dynamic and immersive learning spaces and overall experiences for everyone who will use this facility. This new facility is a turning point for Â鶹¹ÙÍø, and we are beyond excited to see it come to reality.
Holly Gaff, Ph.D.Â
Professor & Chair, Biological Sciences
Project Manager Officer
Major Gifts Officer
Project Communications Contact
