Design Assistance
Upper Quad North Residence Hall at Virginia Tech
Upper Quad North Residence Hall at Virginia Tech
The new Upper Quad North Residence Hall at Virginia Tech is a five-story building that serves as a home for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. With a total precast concrete solution, the building incorporates architectural precast concrete panels, precast concrete floor slabs, shear and bearing walls, stairs, and more. This state-of-the-art residence hall is a replacement for Femoyer Hall, which was originally built in 1949.
Designed in the Collegiate Gothic style found across Virginia Tech, the new residence hall showcases the university's commitment to maintaining its architectural identity by utilizing resilient architectural and structural precast concrete components that will ensure the residence hall is built to last over a hundred years. Additionally, the project leverages sustainable features and is on track for LEED v4 Silver certification.
Designed to blend seamlessly with other structures on campus, the architectural precast façade meets the aesthetic goals desired by the university while preserving the historical significance of the campus in the heraldry with its Collegiate Gothic Revival style. With longevity in mind, the university felt that precast was the most durable and sustainable solution for the new build. The façade consists of Hokie Stone and punched windows. Using precast panels on the exterior was more cost-effective and sustainable than using an entire native limestone veneer. Punched windows provide several benefits such as energy efficiency, sound cancellation, and customizable design options.
There are intentional details throughout the residence hall, from the exterior symbols, names, and dates etched into the precast concrete to the color scheme that matches the cadets' uniforms.
This newest residence hall at Virginia Tech is the second phase of improvements in housing for the Corps of Cadets and succeeds Pearson Hall, a mirror image of Upper Quad North and completed in 2015. GATE also fabricated architectural precast panels for Pearson Hall's exterior.
Receiving LEED Silver certification, Pearson Hall set a precedent for the design standards and commitment to sustainability for future housing on the Virginia Tech campus. The university has committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 and achieving a minimum LEED Silver rating for all major renovations and new construction.
AWARDS
LOCATION
Blacksburg, VA
ARCHITECT
Clark Nexsen