An inspiring, intentional new space

“Welcome back, and welcome home.”

These are the words Dean Wendy Perdue used to greet the Richmond Law community at the start of the semester. Her message celebrated the completion of the latest phase of a multiyear transformation of the law school’s building. The project “has been described as the most complex renovation that the university has ever undertaken,” she said.

The biggest changes came to Muse Law Library, which was reconfigured to allow the creation of a central law school commons — a gathering place for the Richmond Law community. Newly redesigned classrooms will allow classmates to better see, hear, and collaborate with one another; other spaces encourage quiet study and reflection. In-house clinics are now situated in a prominently visible suite, and a well-equipped lactation room and dedicated space for student organizations are on the third floor. The building also has the first green roof on campus.

The extensive physical changes brought the promise, as Perdue expressed it, “that our newly renovated building will serve as a catalyst to reinforce our values and priorities.” Here’s a look.

The renovations included changes that updated and brightened the Muse Law Library and moved its entrance. Several classrooms were redesigned for greater collaboration and updated with video conferencing technology (above left). The law school now has UR’s first green roof (above right), which enhances the views out the windows and reduces the amount of heat absorbed by the building, creating energy savings.

The newly renovated spaces are designed with connection in mind, as well as quiet study and reflection, all of which are important for success at Richmond Law.