Virginia Tech, $ 1 billion Capital capital portfolio could only be enough to deserve the school’s consideration as the owner of the Midatlantic Year Enr. But the recognition of the university also reflects its commitment to collaborate with teachers, staff and parties to ensure that all projects meet the needs of students, teachers and the widest community. This approach has helped the university to expand its reach beyond its main campus of 2,600 hectares in Blacksburg. Together with multiple research stations in Virginia, and the Steger Center for the Swiss International Scholarship, the new University Mixed Innovation Campus of the University in Alexandria, Va.
Virginia Tech has also tried to combine academic research with its construction projects, as evidenced by the recently completed Hitt Hall. The Home of the Myers-Lawson School of Construction, the 100,000-square-foot multipurpose installation includes a two-storey single innovation laboratory that offers program opportunities for temporary projects and a large scale. It also offers a full 600 -seater service dining room. Hitt Hall was funded by a donation from the Hitt Family Foundation, led by Brett Hitt, co -president of Falls Church, Hitt Contracting Inc., based on VA., With coincident contributions from four additional donors.
Dwyn Taylor, Vice President of the University of Installations, discussed the success of the multifaceted capital program with Enr. This Q&A has been edited and condensed.
Taylor’s robbery
Virginia Tech has many capital construction projects. What does all these projects lead?
Virginia Tech has created a strong sense of the site and provides a world -class instructional and research environment. This has created the need for the capital program to predict and respond to the needs of the changing campus. Virginia Tech, in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Virginia, is committed to proactive and intentional investment in the University Capital Program. This association is often complemented by other background sources such as philanthropy.
You have a lot of competitive interests when it comes to facilities. How do they balance them as they change their respective functions?
The alignment of our award -winning Campus Master Plan with the Strategic Plan of our University establishes a vision and a framework through which we can execute a highly effective capital program. Our project planning processes consider multiple priorities and perspectives to achieve the best result for the university. Once the projects are approved by our Council of Visitors, the design ideas and concepts are thoroughly reviewed through many parties interested in maximizing the usefulness and function of Virginia Tech.
“The alignment of our award -winning Master Plan of the Campus with the Strategic Plan of our University establishes a vision and a framework through which we can execute a highly effective capital program.”
—Dwyn Taylor, Vice President of Facilities, Virginia Tech
Do your installations geographically require different types of construction management?
Our construction management approaches are standardized in our portfolio, but with sufficient flexibility to address the unique characteristics and requirements that each project usually provides. For projects that are not near the Blacksburg campus, we have a third -party contract on demand that we can use to be the ears and eyes of the project’s place, maintaining the management of control projects in a central way. In the case of rented or international projects, the works are usually outsourced through our real estate management group and often in concert with the Virginia Tech Foundation Inc.
How do you go to Virginia Tech’s commitment to sustainability in buildings and facilities?
Our commitment of climate action highlights the routes to integrate energy optimization into new and existing facilities. New buildings must have a Leed or higher silver rating while pressing the envelope to the advanced integration of the system and the use of new technologies to ensure that they are as sustainable with the possible environment. We have also executed projects that include retro-commissioner buildings, added measurement facilities, refrigerated water systems, lighting updates and installation of solar collection systems on the roof. We take advantage of the interest of the students through a program of green application proposals, which encourages them to send ideas for projects that support environmental management such as LED lighting adaptations, water charging stations to promote reusable bottles and bicycle RACK facilities to promote cycling through the campus.
Recent Virginia Tech projects at a glance
Innovation Campus Academic Building One
Formally dedicated at the end of February, the 11-story building, with about 300,000 square meters built by Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. Anchors a new postgraduate education and research campus. Two additional buildings of 150,000 square meters are expected.
Mitchell hall
Under Skanska’s construction on the site of an now demolished engineering building, the structure of 285,500 square meters will provide a classroom, laboratory, collaboration and research space on the Blacksburg campus. An existing wind tunnel, one of the largest facilities of the university of its type in the country, will be locked inside the new building.
Upper quad residence
The five -story residence, 68,000 square meters, offers life accommodation on the main campus adapted to the unique needs of students focused on Virginia Tech, their cadets body. Built by Vannoy Construction, the building includes additional storage for uniforms and training equipment and provides living spaces on the first floor for teachers and staff.
How do you complement your projects in classroom education?
Our capital construction program supports the class visits regularly to include the Myers-lawson School of Construction, Civil Engineering and Architecture Programs and other departments. We also support industry research grants through the Myers-Lawson buildings Department.
