2RW provided MEP engineering design for the Virginia Guesthouse featuring 215 guest rooms, a 10,000 SF grand ballroom (the largest in Central Virginia), a 3,000 SF junior ballroom, a visitor center, a restaurant, a café, and a rooftop bar with expansive views of the entrance to UVA’s Central Grounds.

The diverse spaces within the building required tailored MEP systems to meet distinct functional needs, with a strong focus on maintaining optimal acoustic performance and intuitive user control across most areas—from guest rooms to large meeting spaces. In the guest rooms, HVAC systems were designed to deliver quiet operation and provide flexible user controls, such as easy-to-use guestroom management systems and demand-based ventilation, enhancing comfort and functionality.

MEP systems were optimized in conference and public spaces to ensure comfort, energy efficiency, and adaptability. HVAC systems provide even air distribution, minimize noise, and handle fluctuating occupancy levels. Electrical systems were developed to support high-tech AV equipment, adaptable lighting, and reliable power distribution, while plumbing systems efficiently accommodate the high demands of restrooms and other public facilities.

To achieve LEED Silver certification and align with the University’s 2030 sustainability goals, the design incorporates energy-efficient HVAC systems with energy recovery, low-consumption plumbing fixtures, and advanced lighting solutions. A digital control system ensures thermal comfort, energy management, and operational scheduling. The preliminary energy model indicates an energy use intensity (EUI) of 54.42 kBtuH/SF/yr for the proposed design, equating to 30.4% in energy savings over baseline.

As Charlottesville’s most significant meeting space, the Virginia Guesthouse is expected to enhance conference opportunities and contribute to local employment growth.

(Illustration courtesy of Deborah Berke Partners, Hanbury Architects, and the UVA Office of the Architect)