Shenandoah University – The Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs (HIVE)
ESa
The HIVE is an adaptive reuse student center at Shenandoah University that transforms a 1940s military barracks and gym into a vibrant, multi-functional hub. The facility includes a veteran’s center, event space, e-sports arena, motion-capture studio, study areas, classrooms, and a business incubator, all in support of the university’s interdisciplinary vision.
Awards Year 2024 |
Project Statement
The Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs (HIVE) revitalizes a historic armory in Winchester, Virginia. Originally built in 1940 for the National Guard for World War II, the building also served the community with events like dances and concerts, including one by Patsy Cline. Through the building’s preservation, this adaptive reuse project pays homage to the past while igniting possibilities for the future through the new student-centered community spaces.
The gymnasium now houses immersive learning labs across two floors, including a new mezzanine level to expand the academic and administrative capacity. The adjacent two-story armory, with its historic Millwood Avenue façade, is repurposed as a Veteran’s Center offering counseling, employment support, and social services.
A striking new addition, named the “Collaboratory”, hosts the Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning (SCiL) and serves as a 170-person event space. The dynamic glass form, through its shifting roof planes, reflects the region's topography of the Appalachian Mountains and the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and contrasts the original masonry structure.
HIVE embodies Shenandoah University’s commitment to honoring veterans, enriching student life, and preserving history. Through careful restoration and innovative design, it bridges the past and future, creating a lasting legacy for the university and the Winchester community.
Framework for Design Excellence Narrative
**Design for Integration: A Part of History**
The HIVE project at Shenandoah University exemplifies thoughtful integration of historic legacy and contemporary design. Originally built in 1940, the Winchester Armory served as a pivotal military site and community gathering space. Its transformation into HIVE honors this rich heritage while reimagining the building as a vibrant academic and civic hub.
Shenandoah University’s approach preserved key architectural elements of the Armory, maintaining its historical character while introducing modern efficiencies. The design seamlessly weaves together the past and present, creating a space that respects Winchester’s cultural fabric and supports future-facing educational and community initiatives. This integration reflects a deep commitment to place, memory, and purpose—making HIVE not just a building, but a living tribute to history and progress.
**Design for Equitable Communities: A Third Place for All**
The HIVE is designed as an inclusive, multi-generational “third place” that bridges Shenandoah University and the broader Winchester community. The architecture supports a diverse range of programs—veterans’ services, social support, immersive learning, and flexible event spaces—within a unified, accessible environment.
Key design strategies foster equity and connection: transparent circulation paths, monumental stairs that encourage movement and interaction, and visual portals that create openness between floors. Dedicated spaces like a mother’s room and quiet study zones ensure that all users feel welcomed and supported.
By prioritizing intersectionality and accessibility, HIVE becomes a catalyst for community formation, personal growth, and interdisciplinary collaboration—embodying a design ethos rooted in care, inclusion, and innovation.
**Design for Change: Future in Mind**
The HIVE is built with adaptability and resilience at its core. High-performance windows and roofing systems enhance energy efficiency and weather resistance, ensuring long-term sustainability. New mezzanine and Collaboratory spaces are structurally independent, allowing for future reconfiguration without compromising the integrity of the original gym structure.
Interior layouts are intentionally flexible, supporting a wide spectrum of uses, from veterans’ counseling and student study zones to collaborative classrooms and public events. Modular furniture, open-plan configurations, and shared circulation areas enable the building to evolve alongside academic programs and community needs.
This future-ready design ensures that HIVE remains a dynamic, inclusive space, responsive to change, rooted in history, and prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Photo Captions
2 - Shenandoah University’s transformation of the historic Winchester Armory blends original 1940s architecture with modern design, preserving its legacy while creating a vibrant academic space for future generations.
3 - From its 1942 origins as a military training site to its 2025 transformation into a vibrant academic and community space, the Shenandoah Armory reflects decades of history, service and innovation.
4 - Historic architecture meets modern design in Shenandoah University’s transformation of the Winchester Armory into a vibrant academic and community space.
5 - Inspired by Virginia’s Ridge and Valley landscape, the design integrates historic preservation with innovative massing transforming the Winchester Armory into a dynamic academic hub rooted in regional identity.
6 - Blending historic brickwork with modern glass architecture, the HIVE stands as a symbol of Shenandoah University’s commitment to honoring legacy while fostering innovation.
7 - A striking new addition, named the “Collaboratory”, hosts the Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning (SCiL) and serves as a 170-person event space.
8 - The HIVE brings together immersive learning, creativity, dining, and community support—creating a vibrant, equitable space for students, veterans and the Winchester community.
9 - From immersive media labs to collaborative lounges and creative workshops, the HIVE offers dynamic environments designed to support innovation, learning and community.
10 - Designed to foster connection and collaboration, the HIVE brings together diverse programs under one roof.
11 - Emphasis is placed on moments of intersection where different programs might intersect, accelerating community formation on campus.
12 - With resilient materials, flexible layouts, and future-ready design, the HIVE ensures lasting impact supporting evolving academic and community needs while honoring its historic roots.
13 - Inside the HIVE, adaptable spaces support everything from quiet study and collaboration to high-energy e-sports.
14 - From vibrant lounges to sleek hallways and welcoming reception areas, the HIVE’s interior design fosters comfort, collaboration and community.
15 - With its striking glass façade and angular roofline, the HIVE’s exterior reflects Shenandoah University’s vision for innovation, community, and connection, anchored in history, designed for the future.
General Contractor
Howard Shockey and Sons, Inc.
Consultants
MEP/FP - Comfort Design, Inc.
Structural Engineering - Wallace Design
Civil Engineering - Greenway Engineering
Photography Credit
Eric Laignel
