The 56,000 square foot, four-story W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr. Building at Virginia Commonwealth University expands the clinical, teaching and research facilities of Virginia’s only dental school. Fifty-two new clinical stations not only allow students to better serve the local community by providing dental services to more people, but also enable the dental school to increase enrollment, ultimately providing better access to dental care across the state.
In addition to providing learning space for students, the third floor Delta Dental Conference Center’s flexible seminar and meeting rooms accommodate regional conference events and continuing education opportunities for professionals in the dental community. Research laboratories on the fourth floor enhance VCU’s research program in the areas of head and neck cancer research as well as tissue bioengineering.
Interior spaces were designed to be open and bright with bold color schemes, and the walls on all levels are adorned with original artwork created and donated by W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr., the alumnus and benefactor for which the building is named.
In order to meet VCU’s sustainable design goals, the W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr. Building utilizes a number of green design strategies, including energy efficient mechanical systems, water-saving plumbing fixtures, low-voc finishes and use of materials with recycled content. The project received LEED-NC Silver Certification by the United States Green Building Council.
