Architecture Students Collaborate with Appalachian Communities in New Experiential Learning Program

Architecture students collaborate with Appalachian communities through new program

Architecture students embark on collaborative program

Many architecture students spend a semester during their undergraduate studies conducting research and studying design, history, and theory in an immersive environment in the United States and other countries. This semester, a new experiential learning program is offering students in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design the opportunity to “study abroad from home” while making a meaningful impact on the community.

Engaging with Appalachian communities

Called the Appalachian Futures Lab, the program sits at the intersection of practice, design work, community, and education and is focusing this semester on the historical coal town of Pocahontas, Virginia, a community of about 300 residents located less than two hours from Blacksburg. Throughout the semester, students will visit and engage with community groups, research and document the architecture through photos and drawings, and create impact-oriented conceptual designs for the community in support of both economic development and preservation efforts.

Imagining a new future for Pocahontas

Students left for a three-day trip to Pocahontas on Jan. 24. They took a scenic route through coal towns in West Virginia, including Itmann, Welch, and Bramwell. Each stop featured exploration of different types of historical architecture, offering students insight into the region’s history and the impacts of coal mining. Towns that once boomed with industry now are mostly empty. Brandon Hernandez, a senior architecture student, said seeing areas that “need a lot of love” is emotional, but he’s eager to propose ideas that may help the community in Pocahontas.

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