Darden Interior Renovation

University of Virginia,
Charlottesville, Virginia

GLAVÉ & HOLMES ARCHITECTURE worked with the Darden School of Business to refresh important spaces in Saunders Hall. The upgrades include new furniture, finishes, and window treatments in many of the areas with the overall effect of creating more inviting and comfortable spaces for students, faculty, and staff to collaborate.

As the formal entry to Saunders Hall, the renovation of the Rosenblum Lounge focused on transforming the space into a welcoming area. A custom reception desk provides a central point of contact for guests. The lounge leads into the Pepsico Forum, an octagonal, domed room with a new brightly colored, custom rug with a hand tufted pattern developed to reinforce Darden’s international focus. The South Lounge is a large, double height space which functions as the living room of the Business School. With a grand window elevation overlooking the lawn, G&HA enhanced the views and quality of light in the space with low profile architectural shades, and added comfortable seating arrangements as a solution to the room’s previously overly formal impression.

G&HA helped capitalize on the existing Whisnand Terrace with new tables to overlook the landscape and custom planter boxes with hidden casters allowing for reconfiguration.