A Special Architectural Tour of Charlottesville and UVA

September, 23, 2011 , by David

Local architectural writer Mike Welton is one of the most talented journalists writing about architecture in the area. His design expertise brings context to current design trends and their historic roots. That expertise is what makes October 8th's architectural tour of Charlottesville and the University of Virginia such an opportunity. Working with UVA's director of historic preservation, Daniel Bluestone, Welton has organized a behind-the-scenes tour of the Thomas Jefferson's Academical Villiage and some of the more modern structures that followed in Charlottesville.

The Academical Village is unique in that it features professor and student quarters linked together surrounding a courtyard and connecting to large library and meeting hall- the Rotunda. The university delivers bundles of firewood to students for the fireplace heated residences. The neoclassical dorms are adorned with fixtures true to the original decoration, faculty get larger homes furnished with period pieces and featuring second stories and balcony porches. The centerpiece of the UVA campus, the village is now reserved for UVA's best students and contributes as much to the academic program as it acts as residence.

UVA's architecture isn't limited to Jefferson's contributions though, the School of Architecture there has a strikingly modern structure in Campbell hall, a building that has been iterated on over the last decade amongst a campus of far more traditional structures. Along with the adjacent Art School's Ruffin Hall the two offer a window into the interaction between the modern and historical. The leader of the tour, Daniel Bluestone, is a highly lauded scholar and has written about interactions like this- the innovation of Jefferson- and the context of what followed and how it responds to the existing designs.

Along with these structures, Bluestone will guide tours of residences and commercial structures beyond the UVA campus.

The one-day motor coach tour will depart from Wake Forest, N.C at 8 AM on Oct. 8th, arrive at The University by 11:30 AM, and return by 7:30 PM. A light breakfast will be served en route, with lunch upon arrival. Cost for transportation, meals and admittance is $89.00. Seating is limited.

To sign up, click here, send an email to mike@architectsandartisans.com, or call 919.562.1725.

Check out our slideshows below for some of the structures on the tour.