Robins Business School
Emphasizing University of Richmond’s connection to its home of Richmond VA and partners across the globe.
Originally constructed in 1961 and renovated back in 2011, The University of Richmond's Robins School of Business looked to smbw for a refresh of their first impression lobby and student gathering hall. Through new interior finishes, lighting and environmental graphic design, the design emphasizes the school’s connection to Richmond VA and it's global relationships with 54 partners schools.
Project Profile Coming Soon
Business School
Market: Higher Education
Location: Richmond
Size: 3,900 SF
Year Completed: 2023
APPROACH
The ombre blue carpet and neutral upholstery colors with pops of red serve as a nod to the school’s colors and bring a clean, updated palette the space. Based on student study patterns, groupings were kept to smaller 4 person settings with a mixture of seated, counter height, stationary lounges and swivel lounges. Each seating option is paired with a work table, ottoman, or pull up side table for laptops and drinks. Environmental graphic design played a large role in the transformation of the space experience. Four feature areas were highlighted; the entry banners for student selfie moments, the mural above “The Lessing Trading Floor” classroom, digital light boxes, and the Student Recognition wall.
University of Richmond came into the project with a signage concept where students could become the "I" freestanding in the lobby, and we helped them reimagine the framework by designing a hanging system with fixed banners for this Instagram-worthy moment. While student and faculty awards had previously been featured in traditional individual wood and brass plaques, this element was updated by creating a wallpaper backdrop and acrylic plates with each award winner. The background is set-up for cleanly adding the next year's winners in alignment without making any specific award category feel empty. The final major graphic element came through a custom wallpaper mural.
