The design of the building began in January 2020 with the architectural teams of Hopkins Architects, VMDO, and the University’s Office of the Architect, with construction led by the Gilbane Building Company. The guiding philosophy behind the design was to create a space that would foster collaboration and promote sustainability. Phil Bourne, founding dean of the School of Data Science, described the new building as a recognizable and beautiful home at UVA that embodies the university’s culture of excellence, openness, transparency, interdisciplinarity, and community engagement.
As a LEED Gold-certified building, the facility features solar panels, vents, and windows in individual offices, as well as active and passive shading systems to limit the need for artificial lighting. The building includes a wellness area, a lactation space, and all non-gendered restrooms, making it the only building on Grounds with this feature. A portion of the historic $120 million gift from the Quantitative Foundation, the private family foundation of Jaffray and Merrill Woodriff, made the construction of the building possible.
Jaffray Woodriff, a 1991 UVA graduate and supporter of data science, expressed his excitement about the School of Data Science’s potential role in the future as artificial intelligence continues to expand. He stated, “As an early data science champion, I’ve been thrilled to see my alma mater create a school and now a home for the study of data science. I am eager to cheer on the University of Virginia’s contributions to the safe and ethical navigation of the murky waters ahead in artificial intelligence.”