Opened in 2024, Hitt Hall at Virginia Tech is home to the Provost’s classrooms, the Myers-Lawson School of Construction, and the Perry Place dining hall. Perry Place, the overarching brand of the dining portion of the project, houses nine distinct “destination dining” venues from cuisines around the world. Each venue has its own custom brand, interiors and signage, all with thoughtful ties to the university. It features two chain restaurants, a diner, a smokehouse concept, a café, a convenience store, as well as four other concepts, and a centralized kitchen. The brands for each of these outlets were designed by Cooper Carry’s Branding team.

The dining options are spread over 2 floors of the building with seating for over 600 students. The double-height atrium connects the dining areas to the academic spaces, fostering a sense of openness and community. It serves as a hub for students, faculty, and staff, and is designed to accommodate 600 users. The design team developed the concept of “construction on display” for the Myers-Lawson School of Construction through thoughtful integration of materiality and exposed systems, allowing for student learning beyond lectures. The connection to the school of construction allows for synergies, outreach opportunities, and visibility to more students on campus.

Perry Place is Virginia Tech’s most sustainability-focused grab-and-go dining facility to date. All venues utilize compostable containers, napkins, straws, cups, and silverware. Clearly marked bins for trash, recycling and compost are located throughout. Even staff T-shirts are crafted from 100% sustainably sourced cotton and printed with solvent-free inks. Overall, Perry Place’s design reflects Virginia Tech’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community, providing a welcoming and functional space for students and faculty.

Design: Cooper Carry
Contractor: WM Jordan
Lighting: Lighting Associates
Furniture Dealer: Bassett Office Supply, Barrows Inc, and Harris Office Furniture
Photography: Judy Davis