It comprises Mary Munford, Roberta Gwathmey, Yen (formerly Lewis), and Hoxton dorms (also sometimes referred to as 'houses'), all of which existed before the IRC was established.

In 1951, during a period of rapid growth for the University of Virginia, Munford Hall was constructed on grounds of the original Morea tract to accommodate for the growing student body.

[6] The crest was created to represent the four houses and their corresponding words of the Latin motto, the Wheat for food, the Bear for friendship, the Owl for wisdom, and the Laurels for peace.

[14] The different houses within the International Residential College feature different styles due to wide timespans in-between the construction of each residence.

Morea House, influenced highly by Jeffersonian architecture, features a recessed second-story veranda with Tuscan columns and an exposed structural arcade in the front room.

The former Sprigg Lane residence halls which include the Munford, Gwathmey, Yen, and Hoxton house, were built in a Neo-Georgian style with a light application of Jeffersonian detail.