Photo Credit: 2RW Consultants, Courtesy Tom Daly

Buckingham County Public Schools Carter G. Woodson Education Complex Renovation and Addition

Buckingham, VA

Owner

Buckingham County Schools

Sustainability

LEED Gold

Timeframe

2009 – 2012

Size

134,015 SF

Cost

$18.4 million

MEP/FP engineering for Buckingham County Primary and Elementary Schools supported the transformation of an existing campus into a modern, high-performance learning environment for K–5 students, combining renovation and new construction. The design incorporates energy-efficient systems, including a water-source heat pump system, along with strategies that enhance indoor environmental quality, daylighting, and overall student wellness. These integrated systems contributed to the project’s LEED Gold certification and support long-term energy performance and a healthier learning environment.

Project Goals

The project goals were to transform an outdated school facility into a healthy, energy-efficient learning environment that supports student wellness, nutrition education, and academic success. From an MEP standpoint, this required modern HVAC, plumbing, electrical, lighting, kitchen, and controls systems that enhance indoor environmental quality, support innovative food service programming, reduce energy consumption, and provide a comfortable, sustainable facility for students and staff.

Services

Renovations comprised approximately 78,000 square feet and building additions comprised an additional 57,000 square feet for a total of 135,000 square feet. The goal of the project was to transform the buildings into a modern learning campus for all K-5 students in the area while addressing the growing concern of student health and well being.

2RW provided commissioning of the energy-using systems in compliance with LEED Fundamental Commissioning requirements. Major deficiencies identified during commissioning included improper factory configuration of outdoor air units and incomplete setup of the Honeywell control system. Additionally, 2RW provided design services for:

  • Plumbing systems
  • HVAC system including water-source heat pump with one pipe distribution
  • Electrical systems (electric utility service, site lighting, interior power and lighting, empty raceway systems for voice-data CATV, and access control and/or audio visual)
  • Fire protection and interior fire alarm and detection systems
  • Lighting protection
  • Communications systems

2RW also commissioned the energy-using systems in compliance with LEED Fundamental Commissioning requirements. Major deficiencies identified during this process included improper factory configuration of outdoor air units and incomplete setup of the Honeywell control system.

Results

Estimated EUI is 50 kBTU/sf/year (measured); 11 % reduction (regional CBECs 2003 K12 School baseline).

Partners

VMDO Architecture

WaterStreet Studio

Springpoint Structural LLC

Awards

  • 2018 – Tucker Design Awards – Building Stone Institute
  • 2014 – Design Excellence Award, Education Facility – AIA CAE
  • 2014 – Excellence Award, Inaugural Award – AIA Central Virginia
  • 2014 – Innovation Gold Award – VA4LE
  • 2014 – Juror’s Choice, Outstanding Project of the Year – USGBC
  • 2013 – Award for Excellence in Architecture – AIA Virginia
  • 2013 – Outstanding Project – Learning by Design – ASBJ
  • 2013 – Project of Distinction, Lee J. Brockway Award – A4LE
  • 2012 – Gold Design Award – VSBA
  • 2012 – People’s Choice Award – VSBA
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Team
2RW_Prevatt_WWW_RGB | | 2RW

Bethany Prevatt

BIM/CAD Operator
Adrienne Hendrickson, PE, LEED AP BD+C | | 2RW

Adrienne Hendrickson, PE

Senior Electrical Engineer

Project Gallery

Image credit

Copyright 2RW, Tom Daly Photography

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