On Friday, June 27, 2025, the SEI Richmond Chapter reached an exciting milestone by hosting its first ever event. The free program featured a site visit to the Virginia Commonwealth University Arts and Innovation Building, an active construction site in downtown Richmond, Virginia. The event brought together SEI and ASCE Richmond members, with a special emphasis on interns, for a shared learning and networking experience centered on one of the region’s most significant projects.
The 213,000 square foot Arts and Innovation Building is scheduled to open in early 2027 and will unite VCU’s arts, design, technology, and creative entrepreneurship programs in a single location. Participants toured the active site and observed construction work firsthand, gaining insight into how a large-scale academic facility is taking shape. When complete, the building will feature state of the art classrooms, innovative hybrid maker labs, a large atrium, and two top-tier performance venues designed to support collaboration and creativity.
This inaugural event was made possible through strong collaboration with local partners. Dunbar Structural, the project’s lead construction firm, played a key role by leading the site tour and sharing perspectives from the field. Timmons Group provided personal protective equipment to help ensure a safe experience for attendees. Richmond SEI also partnered with the ASCE Richmond Chapter to help host and promote the event, reaching both SEI and ASCE members and encouraging intern participation.
Additional support from an SEI Grant allowed Richmond SEI to provide extra PPE and offer post tour refreshments, creating space for informal conversation and professional connection. Overall, the visit offered an excellent opportunity to see ongoing construction up close, connect with peers in the field, and celebrate the successful launch of Richmond SEI programming, setting a strong foundation for future chapter events.