Pavilion X shows its (new) colors

Pavilion X just got a new parapet and color scheme.
PHOTO BY HAWES SPENCER

A year ago, there was widespread concern among UVA alums about then-impending changes to the hallowed UVA Lawn, including changing the colors of the Lawn’s white columns and dark green shutters, restoring Pavilion X to reflect what Jefferson intended, and replacing the Rotunda’s roof by replicating architect Stanford White’s version, a greenish copper he chose as part of his redesign following the 1895 fire that destroyed much of the building. Over the winter some of those changes have taken shape, as a March 31 photograph indicates.

Formerly clad in glossy white paint, Pavilion X now stands adorned with a new attic parapet, what one angry alum called an "ugly attic,"  and a sandy beige paint scheme. But the controversy continues, as those accustomed to the relatively modern image of the Lawn with its red brick and gleaming white columns, railings, and domes would like it to stay that way.

In response to that, UVA historic preservation planner Brian Hogg says there are no immediate plans to extend the new Pavilion X color scheme to the rest of the Lawn. In addition, plans to restore the roof of the Rotunda are also on hold. The plan now, says Hogg, is to spend some time simply “looking at the design of Pavilion X.”

“It’s still an open question what design direction the Lawn will take,” he says. “We’re going to have more discussions before any decisions are made.”