Renovations and additions to the historic McKinley Building on American University’s campus are underway. When completed in fall 2013, the renewed facility will provide a new home for the University’s School of Communication.

Bowie Gridley Architects (BGA) worked with American University to adapt the facility as a modern learning lab suited to teaching in the 21st century. The project is based on an initial concept design created by BGA in 2005 and features a modern glass façade juxtaposed with the neoclassical design of the original building. A new entry orients the School of Communication to the main campus quad.

A high-tech lab for learning, the new School of Communication reflects the changing face of media today, providing a state-of-the-art educational setting to prepare students for work in journalism, broadcast or film. The School features a converged newsroom with sophisticated audiovisual systems similar to those found in professional newsrooms, as well as media labs, editing rooms, classrooms, student services, event spaces, support spaces, and a 148-seat theater.

Renovations have begun on the clinical simulation center for the University of Virginia’s School of Nursing. Designed by Bowie Gridley Architects, the phased renovation provides state-of-the-art learning facilities for the Nursing School, as well as the Medical and Allied Health Science Programs. The renovation includes significant technology and energy efficiency upgrades.

The Center includes two eight-bed Clinical Skills Labs with isolation rooms, a two-bed ICU Simulation Lab, three-bed Pediatrics and Women’s Health Simulation Lab and a Physical Assessment Lab with eight stations.

Phasing of the renovations to McLeod Hall has been planned to minimize disruption of ongoing operations. BGA has completed renovations to the lobby, classrooms, research facilities, faculty offices and food and museum facilities. The final stages of work will include additional classroom renovations. BGA previously completed the design of the new Claude Moore Nursing Education Building, which provides needed classroom, office and meeting spaces for the School of Nursing.