Transformational education starts with a solid foundation. For Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering, that foundation will be nestled in the heart of the North Academic District.

At its Aug. 29 meeting, the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors’ Buildings and Grounds Committee reviewed the design for Mitchell Hall, a state-of-the-art engineering and research building that will provide engineering students, faculty, and staff with innovative lab space and ample opportunities for experiential learning.

This latest addition to the Blacksburg campus’s facilities is a critical replacement for Randolph Hall, which was constructed in two phases in the 1950s. Mitchell Hall will be an expanded, centralized hub for several engineering departments, including aerospace and ocean engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering, among others, allowing for more interdisciplinary collaboration for faculty and students.

The building will also serve as the new home for the Frith First-Year Maker Space. The project comes at a pivotal moment for the engineering college, which is growing as part of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Tech Talent Initiative, a statewide push to increase graduates in key computing fields.

The five-story facility will support the College of Engineering’s enrollment growth and its 21st century experiential learning and research mission. Expanding and improving the College of Engineering’s physical infrastructure is a key component of the college’s strategic priorities.

“Preparing our students for life after graduation begins with hands-on learning and access to advanced equipment,” said Julie Ross, the Paul and Dorothea Torgersen Dean of Engineering. “The future Mitchell Hall will give students a place to grow as professional engineers while equipping them for careers in industry and beyond.”