BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech has announced that all exterior doors at Norris Hall will be temporarily closed at intervals between Monday, July 28, and Friday, August 8 to accommodate planned renovations.

While the exterior doors will close intermittently, the university confirms that access to Norris Hall will remain available at all times and ADA-compliant routes will not be affected, allowing everyone to safely enter and exit the building.

During the renovation period, building occupants and visitors should expect general construction noise, more contractor vehicles in loading zones, and occasional rerouted foot traffic near entrances.

Any questions or concerns about the project can be sent to vtrepair@vt.edu.

‍What’s Changing?

‍The door renovation project is part of Virginia Tech’s ongoing efforts to upgrade older buildings and improve energy efficiency, safety, and accessibility campus-wide. The updates at Norris Hall will help extend the life of the doors, enhance weather sealing, and ensure that entry systems meet modern security standards.

Facilities crews are coordinating the work to minimize the impact on summer classes and research labs that continue to operate in Norris Hall during the break.

Impact on Building Users

‍Students, faculty, and staff should allow extra time when moving between Norris Hall and surrounding areas, as they may need to use alternate entrances while certain doors are under construction. Clear signs and detour instructions will be posted daily to guide everyone to the nearest available door.

The university asks everyone to exercise caution around work areas, be alert to construction vehicles and tools, and follow any posted safety instructions.

Why Summer?

‍Renovations like these are intentionally scheduled during the quieter summer months to limit interference with busy classroom and lab schedules during fall and spring semesters.

Norris Hall is home to important programs in engineering, science, and research, making safe, functional, and secure access a top priority.

How to Stay Updated

‍Facilities Operations will share updates if the timeline shifts due to weather or supply delays. Students, faculty, and staff can check the Virginia Tech Facilities website, monitor campus-wide emails, or look for notices on building bulletin boards for any last-minute changes.

The repairs are part of a larger annual maintenance effort that includes roof work, HVAC checks, and infrastructure upgrades across several academic buildings this summer.

Originally reported by Virginia Tech News.