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Historic Colonnade Renovations, Washington & Lee University, Lexington, Virginia
PACE Collaborative recently provided the mechanical and electrical engineering services to renovate five (5) buildings which comprise the historic Colonnade at Washington and Lee University. The buildings include Newcomb Hall, Payne Hall, Robinson Hall, Washington Hall and Tucker Hall. The overall project spanned nearly a decade with phased design and construction. Major infrastructure upgrades to support the project included the design and construction of a new remote underground utility structure to house the major electrical and mechanical equipment serving the buildings which included the main switchgear, emergency generator, steam to hot water heat exchangers and pumping systems. Construction of the utility structure project allowed for University to decommission their aging turn-of-the-century heating hot water loop. Mechanical systems varied across the buildings and included a combination of single zone air handling units, variable air volume units with hot water re-heat as well as active chilled beam units. All of the mechanical systems relied on campus chilled water for cooling.
Design of the lighting systems included a progression from fluorescent lighting during the onset of the project to all LED lighting in the more recently renovated buildings. Many of the historic lighting fixtures were salvaged and refurbished to utilize LED lamps. Specialty lighting for outdoor events as well as uplighting of the statue of George Washington sitting atop Washington Hall was also included. Design challenges included preserving historic elements of each building while incorporating modern MEP systems and conveniences. The project was designed and constructed to a LEED Silver level certification.
