New York Firm Selected as Design Architect

Robert A. M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) from New York will be the design architect for the JMU College of Business Learning Complex at James Madison University.  Moseley Architects of Virginia Beach will be the architect of record.  Along with other projects, these two firms were partners in the design of the Alan B. Miller Hall, home of the Mason College of Business at the College of William and Mary. 

RAMSA brings an impressive list of work with business schools across the nation. Their business school designs can be found at universities including Harvard, the University of Virginia, the Pennsylvania State University, Miami of Ohio, Wake Forest University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Nebraska. 

Moseley has a long record of successful projects at JMU, including most recently the Student Success Center, E-Hall dining facility, and the new D-Hall dining facility currently under construction. Moseley has served as the architect for other business school projects including Virginia Commonwealth University and Old Dominion University.  Additionally, the firm conducted the feasibility study for the JMU business college project. 

The College of Business Learning Complex will include new space and a renovation of the College of Business' current home, Zane Showker Hall.  When completed, the project will include over 200,000 square feet of new and renovated space. Among the highlights of the proposed Learning Complex are an expanded capital markets lab; an innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship lab; a professional sales lab; large multi-function space; state-of-the-art learning spaces; study rooms; a cafe and a dining facility; and much more.  The building will be LEED certified. 

Recently, architects from Moseley and RAMSA engaged faculty, staff, and students in a workshop to envision the new facility. Themes and ideas from the workshop will be incorporated into the final design. 

Dean of the College, Mary Gowan, noted "we are very excited to have this team of architects designing our new learning complex. Moseley's experience at JMU and RAMSA's experience with top-ranked business programs ensure that we will have a new home for the College that will be among the best in the nation.  Their collective expertise will facilitate creation of new and renovated spaces that will acknowledge and celebrate our vision of being a leader in developing collaborative business partners, engaged with ideas and the world." 

The college anticipates moving into the new part of the learning complex in fall of 2020 and into the renovated space in the fall of 2021. Naming opportunities remain available. For additional information, contact Dean Mary Gowan at gowanma@jmu.edu. 

Share your memories of Showker Hall by emailing them to collegeofbusiness@jmu.edu.