The Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech is a signature destination for creativity, performance and cultural engagement, anchoring the university’s larger vision to elevate the arts across campus and throughout the Blacksburg community. Strategically positioned at a major campus gateway, the 150,000‑square‑foot facility bridges the university and downtown, inviting students, faculty and residents to experience a vibrant mix of performance, exhibition and innovation spaces.
What challenges did STV address?
Delivering a complex, multi‑venue arts center required resolving extensive architectural, acoustic, structural and life‑safety challenges while honoring Virginia Tech’s Hokie Stone aesthetic. The program included a world‑class performance hall, experimental spaces, teaching environments and public amenities – all with highly specialized technical requirements. Integrating these diverse functions into a cohesive, welcoming building demanded advanced coordination and rigorous engineering.
What solutions did STV deliver?
As executive architect and engineer, STV partnered with design architect Snøhetta to advance the project from concept through completion. The team provided comprehensive technical expertise – including building systems design, acoustical integration, accessibility strategies and fire/life‑safety engineering – to support the facility’s ambitious program. Key elements include a 1,260‑seat multi‑level performance hall with a six‑story fly loft, flexible studios and galleries, an outdoor amphitheater and the Cube, a four‑story, multidisciplinary experimental performance lab.
How does this project benefit the campus and the community?
The Moss Arts Center expands opportunities for artistic exploration, education and cultural engagement across Southwest Virginia. Its blend of performance, research, and community‑focused spaces enables collaboration between artists, students, and innovators, while its prominent siting strengthens connections between campus and town. Since opening, the center has become a regional arts destination hosting internationally acclaimed performers and exhibitions.
Key Stats and Accolades
- 150,000‑sf arts and performance center
- 1,260‑seat multi‑level performance hall with six‑story fly loft
- 44,800‑sf renovation; 105,200‑sf new construction
- Four‑story experimental performance lab (the Cube)
- Galleries, studios, amphitheater, café, teaching and research spaces
- Recipient of ENR and Building Design+Construction awards
