UNT CVAD Opening Celebrated

Feature
News

Published
October, 2019

Tags
UNT CVAD, Event

On Thursday, October 10th the University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design celebrated their new and expanded home with an opening ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Greg Watts, dean of the College of Visual Arts and Design, described the school’s intention and desires for this new building, "We've worked to design a building that functions around creativity and collaboration. We wanted a very porous structure that would encourage everyone from our UNT and Denton communities, and beyond, to be curious. And, in turn, have the opportunity to see what we do – to witness our practice."

Opening Ceremony

Machado Silvetti, in association with local architect-of-record Corgan designed the new building which includes both a significant renovation of the existing building and a new 130,000 square-foot addition. This new unifying home for the College accommodates over two thousand students in a 220,000 square-foot facility that sets a new standard in studio, workshop and teaching spaces for innovative and interdisciplinary arts and design education.

Rodolfo Machado and Stephanie Randazzo Dwyer were in attendance, representing Machado Silvetti. During the ceremony, Rodolfo had the opportunity to speak about the new building and his enjoyment working with UNT and the College of Visual Arts and Design.

Rodolfo along with David Zatopek of Corgan represented the design team at the ribbon cutting

Rodolfo and Stephanie (right) with CVAD Dean Greg Watts and Associate Dean Denise Baxter (left)

Rodolfo spoke about his experience working with CVAD

Related Content

  • In establishing the motto “One College One Building,” the renovation and new construction of the College of Visual Arts and Design on the University of North Texas’ campus prioritized unification of collegiate programs through detailed structural organization. Learn more about the project and it’s scope here.

  • The original Arts Building, designed by the Dallas firm, Clutts and Parker, was built in 1970 as a purpose-built home for the Department of Art. A major goal of the CVAD project was to bring the majority of critical programs back under one roof and reestablish the CVAD building as a clearly identifiable home for the College of Visual Arts and Design. Read more about the design process for the College of Visual Arts & Design here.

  • A major goal of the main CVAD building, completed in 2018, was to bring the majority of departments and programs, once widely dispersed, back under one roof and reestablish the Arts Building as a clearly identified home for the College of Visual Arts and Design. Although the main building greatly improved CVAD’s community, the new building’s size and budget were not able to accommodate all of CVAD’s program. Two of these unaccommodated programs are CVAD’s Ceramics and Graduate Studies programs. In 2019, UNT selected Machado Silvetti, in association with VAI, to return to campus to design a facility near to the main CVAD building to house these programs. Read more about the continued construction process here.

  • Project updates, upcoming events, construction features, & site visits — Continue exploring news articles and stories here.