The unassuming storefront at 128 Chancellor St. has long belied the Center for Christian Study’s extensive research and scholarship space. And just a few months ago, the square footage behind those doors was expanded even further.
Residential and commercial building firm Alexander Nicholson was tasked with the expansion project—namely, to use every last bit of space available to the Center for Christian Study on the square block between Chancellor and Elliewood. “The first thing that stood out about the project was its location and footprint within that area behind the existing structure,” says Drew Dunnington, project manager. “We didn’t have direct street access. We built the entire addition going through the neighboring back yard.”
The addition’s design, by Train Architects and UVA architect William Sherman, optimized every square foot of the existing property, building to the edge of what was once a parking lot to create a new lecture hall, stacks for the center’s 14,000-volume library, study area and a full, catering-ready kitchen…