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Facilities Projects

Summer Transformations: Where Design Meets Execution

Every summer, our campus undergoes a remarkable transformation. Behind the operation of our residence halls, dining centers, and student centers is an intricate process that unfolds throughout the year. Much of our time is dedicated to meticulous planning, encompassing design, budgeting, obtaining authorizations, and navigating the bid processes. This extensive preparation culminates in an intense 14-week construction period over the summer, where ideas leap off the page and into reality.

Summer in Review: Projects Completed in Summer 2024

Check out the projects we completed in summer 2024, transforming our spaces to further meet the needs of our community. Many of our projects are being done in phases. Check back soon to see what’s coming up next summer!

  • Ambler Johnston West: Replace half of the student room carpets with LVT tile.
    • The second phase of floor repair was completed. The existing carpet in West Wing resident rooms was replaced with Luxury Vinyl Tile, providing a more sanitary floor system for the student housing experience.
  • Campbell Main: Laundry replacement and exterior work addressing sanitary sewer lines by university partners.
    • Removed the wall between the existing laundry room and mailroom in Campbell Main Hall, converting the space into a larger and more accessible laundry room with a more efficient design. The space was enlarged and an accessible, wider door was installed. The space was refreshed with new furniture and general repairs were completed.
  • Eggleston Main: Laundry replacement.
    • Laundry facilities were renovated in Eggleston Hall Main. Upgrades included adding an accessibility ramp to the front entryway, improving the existing washer/dryer layout, fixing structural work on the ceiling, and updating the mechanical work from the laundry room through to the attic.
  • Johnson: Bathroom ventilation upgrades.
    • Completed
  • Pritchard: Floors 1-7 east side closest to Peddrew-Yates (phase 1 of a multi-year process.
    • In the first phase of this multi-year project, the Student Affairs Facilities and Operations team at VT has upgraded 104 resident rooms including two accessible rooms, renovated hallways and fire safety systems in a quarter of the building, and prepared the building for a generator replacement. The team also installed an educational Makerspace for engineering students and a meditation prayer room.
      • Renovated 104 resident rooms with new sinks, sink vanities, and paint. In this quarter of the building, hallways were given a fresh look in Hokie colors with gray walls, gray carpeting, and newly painted door frames.
      • Two student rooms were upgraded to current Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
      • Renovated hallways received new carpet, drop ceilings, cable pathways, energy-efficient LED lighting, and paint. Our campus partners Network and Infrastructure Services, part of the Division of Information Technology, upgraded internet wiring and devices.
      • Replaced and upgraded fire alarm devices, including audio/visual alarms, and replaced the centralized fire control panel.
      • The Frith Makerspace, previously located in Hoge Hall, was recreated in a larger Pritchard space this summer. This workshop provides an area for first-year engineering students to obtain hands-on experience.
      • Conversion of a lounge into a meditation, prayer, and reflection space. It includes a footbath/ablution station, furniture, and worship platforms in two semiprivate prayer areas.
  • Peddrew-Yates: replacement of HVAC piping, shower replacement phase II, LED lighting replacements in common areas.
    • Removed and replaced 32 shower stalls in 16 different bathroom facilities in the east wing of Peddrew-Yates Hall. The bathrooms were upgraded to current Americans with Disabilities Act code compliance, and the waterproofing and drainage of showers were renovated to eliminate leak issues.
    • The HVAC water pipe in Peddrew-Yates was repaired. The new pipe system, a preventative maintenance project, is intended to support proper function of the HVAC system for years to come.
    • New HVAC Air Handlers were installed on the roof to compliment the pipe replacement for a more efficient operating system.
  • Slusher Tower and Wing: replacement of electrical panels, upgrade of 5 lounges including furniture in support of new Living-Learning Program occupants.
    • Several Living-Learning Communities were newly relocated to Slusher Hall. In response, lounge renovations were completed on five floors of the building. The renovations provide a space that invites community and relaxation in common spaces for students.
      • Removed existing walls to open up the lounges
      • Replaced hard flooring with new carpet
      • Installed new furniture
      • Installed new drywall ceilings
    • Replaced electrical panels in Slusher to increase health and safety measures in the building.
  • Slusher Wing: Student room and common area painting.
    • Completed
  • Oak Lane/Special Purpose Fraternity and Sorority Housing Buildings D, E, F, G, I, J: Shower replacements.
    • Completed
  • Vawter: Phase I of full bathroom replacement including converting traditional bathrooms to wet-bath configuration.
    • The first phase of a two-phase project to replace all of the existing bathroom facilities in Vawter Hall was completed.
    • Removal of existing bathroom facilities on three floors and the construction of new, accessible bathroom facilities to replace them. Each facility has a toilet stall and shower.
    • A bathroom on the first floor was renovated into a single-use, all-gender accessible bathroom.
  • Owens: Grease trap installation, renovation of 2 large bathrooms and including an all-gender, accessible bathroom.
    • Two public restrooms, one for men and one for women, in Owens were repaired and renovated.
    • An all-gender, accessible, restroom was provided as part of the project.
    • A new grease trap was installed in Owens Hall Food Court, below ground, outside Owens Hall. The renovated system allows for clean and efficient grease collection for the dining facilities in the building.
    • An ADA compliant sidewalk was installed leading up to the door beside the trap.
  • Squires: Haymarket Theater repairs, break room creation, routine maintenance, and HVAC system.
    • Removed and replaced the entire existing stage flooring in the building’s Haymarket Theater.
    • Renovation of an existing office in Squires into a breakroom and conference room space. Cabinetry and a fridge were added to the room, one wall was converted into a whiteboard wall, and half of the carpet was replaced with new luxury vinyl tile.
    • Refreshed paint and carpet in the School of Performing Arts in Squires. This project is part of ongoing maintenance of standard “wear and tear” such as repairing walls, painting, and replacing carpet.
    • The first phase of repairing the Squires HVAC system was completed. This phase involved a complete review of the HVAC systems in the mechanical room. A report has been made recommending courses of action for subsequent phases.
  • Squires and Donaldson Brown Graduate Life Center: Conversion of dining spaces into new venues.
    • Dining venues were renewed and rebranded in these two locations.