Kahler Slater + Hanbury to Design New School of Dentistry for VCU
The facility will serve as a vital oral health resource for Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region, with a focus on inclusive, patient-centered care.
Richmond, VA – Kahler Slater in collaboration with Hanbury will design Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) a new School of Dentistry. The 312,000-square-foot facility will advance dental education and clinical practice, supporting VCU’s mission to improve access to care and serve the many communities across Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic.
As the only dental school in the Commonwealth, VCU is a vital resource for oral health education and care. The new building will accommodate more than 100,000 patient visits annually, underscoring the faculty’s clinical expertise, expanding clinical capacity and reinforcing the university’s role as the largest provider of dental care to Medicaid recipients in Virginia.
The design establishes a dynamic connection between clinical education, specialized patient care, and educational laboratories in a landmark setting. Organized to encourage collaboration, the facility will offer flexible spaces that support interaction and create new synergies among a diverse user population, breaking down traditional departmental boundaries. The building will more seamlessly connect dentistry with VCU Health and the other VCU Health Sciences schools, inspiring new and unique partnerships that improve health care and inspire new research.
“We’re proud to be part of the team transforming dental education and access to care across the Mid-Atlantic. Kahler Slater and Hanbury’s design team is crafting a facility that will elevate VCU’s ability to provide excellent patient care, strengthen faculty and student recruitment, and expand enrollment. This will lead to more qualified providers equipped to improve oral health in communities throughout the Commonwealth,” says Larry Schnuck, FAIA, Dental Education Designer at Kahler Slater.
Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2027, with completion anticipated in late 2029. The project represents a substantial investment in VCU’s continued leadership in education, research, and community health.
“The VCU dental school is a unique opportunity to bring together students, faculty, dentists, and citizens from across Virginia in a facility dedicated to the highest level of dental training, education, and care,” said David Keith, Design Principal and CEO of Hanbury. “The team has thoughtfully designed a place that is both inviting and inspiring, connecting curious minds with skilled caregivers and serving a vital role in our community.”
Visuals by Pixelflakes
