Next U

Next University is located in Norfolk, Virginia near the Virginia Wesleyan campus and re-
flects their historical brick building style. Located on a wooded 300-acre lot, the campus is
an oasis of trees, open fields and flowers. Multiple waterways surround the campus which
is just miles from the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. Norfolk, known both as the
“Tree City” and the “heart of the Virginia waterfront,” is rich in history, culture, and nightlife.
Because the city is surrounded by water, the oceanfront and ports impact everyday life.
Ocean-going cruise vessels of up to 3,000 passengers regularly stop at the cruise terminal
downtown. Norfolk is also home to the world’s largest naval base and is home of the USS
Wisconsin battleship and a vibrant harbor. The Port of Virginia is a robust shipbuilding and
repair industry that shelters the naval. It is the sixth largest containerized cargo complex
in the United States and is an international hub port with 200+ connections to countries
around the world.

When planning and designing Next University’s new, active learning spaces, I believe that
it is important to draw inspiration from the surrounding areas. When students aren’t in
classes, they enjoy the city of Norfolk and vast oceanfront. Since the Naval base and Port
of Virginia have large impacts on the harbor and surrounding areas, it seems appropriate
to adopt qualities from these sites into the design of the new university building. Therefore
value is placed in the geographical context of the building, grounding the structure aesthet-
ically and culturally. By looking at the surrounding historical brick buildings, natural flora,
building site, and harbor life, I believe this can be achieved. The port also acts as a meta-
phor, personifying the global outreach Nest University wishes to achieve in their new dis-
tance learning space. Next University is also supportive of green and sustainable design.
By using local materials and recycled products, such as discarded shipping containers, the
new classrooms can relate to their location and help the environment. I also believe that it
is important to base the design of a building on its users. By understanding the users and
their fundamental intents, desires, and drives, the space can be designed to better fit their
needs and every day activities.



I wanted to base my logo off of the typography on the side of shipping crates.
This included big, bold, black lettering, and a stencil and paint effect. I also
wanted to play with the rectilinear forms of the containers in order to create the
letter “x.” By using perspective view of the crates, a 3D x could be made. I then
tried coloring portions of the x’s surface in order to highlight an arrow form,
which speaks to the schools moto of forward thinking and name “Next.” I found
it was best to stay true to the flat container font and keep the text simple. I did
want to preserve the arrow formed by the x itself as well as the negative space
between it and the letter e.

























Think Task Chair Tapered E-Table Buoy Node Bix Lounge

Campfire Paper Table Campfire Personal Table Campfire Ottoman Campfire Big Lounge Scoop Stool Bivi Rumble Seat Hoodie

Campfire Screens Campfire Half Lounge Media:scape Lounge i2i Lounge Chair Bivi Rumble Seat with Free-standing Legs