University of Virginia Edgar Shannon Library Renovation and Addition

Photo Credit: 2RW Consultants

University of Virginia Edgar Shannon Library Renovation and Addition

Charlottesville, VA

Owner

University of Virginia

Sustainability

LEED Gold

Timeframe

2017 – 2023

Size

~223,000 SF

Cost

$160 million

MEP/FP engineering and LEED consulting for this library renovation and addition support approximately 100,000 SF of renovation and 123,000 SF of new construction, enhancing research, learning, and collection spaces. The design focuses on high-performing, energy-efficient systems that improve preservation conditions, occupant comfort, and lighting while maintaining the building’s historic integrity and supporting long-term growth. Systems are designed to significantly reduce energy use, targeting an EUI of 51.4 kBtu/SF/yr, and build on prior planning studies that informed the project’s development.

Project Goals

Built in 1938, Edgar Shannon (formally Alderman) Library is UVA’s largest library. It is the University’s physical and cultural heart and houses the Humanities and Social Sciences collection, Built in 1938, Edgar Shannon Library (formally Alderman) is UVA’s largest library. It is the University’s physical and cultural heart and houses the Humanities and Social Sciences collection, Scholars Lab, and Government Information Resources. In 2017, UVA launched a major project to renovate and add to the facility to “create a best-in-class research environment for UVA’s faculty, students, and scholars worldwide” and “spur the creation of new knowledge and workforce readiness that will benefit the Commonwealth and her citizens”. Scholars Lab, and Government Information Resources. In 2017, UVa launched a major project to renovate and add to the facility to “create a best-in-class research environment for UVA’s faculty, students, and scholars worldwide” and “spur the creation of new knowledge and workforce readiness that will benefit the Commonwealth and her citizens”.

Services

2RW provided MEP/FP engineering and LEED/sustainability consulting for this prestigious project, which entails renovating approximately 100,000 SF of space and constructing a 123,000 SF addition. The renewals enhance space throughout the building, updating meeting rooms, staff areas, learning and research spaces, and book-storage stacks.

2RW’s role is to deliver energy-efficient systems that will provide enhanced conservation and preservation for collections, a more comfortable environment for occupants, and a minimum goal of LEED Silver. This includes designing flexible, high-performing MEP/FP systems that:

Significantly improve the energy efficiency of the building, with a target energy use intensity (EUI) of 51.4 kBtu/SF/yr (less than half of the current EUI of 107 kBtu/SF/yr)
Accommodate long-term use and growth of collections
Meet modern accessibility and building codes
Provide ample lighting and optimize existing light wells
Maintain the historic integrity of the building

In 2008, 2RW provided MEP engineering services for the University for a long-range library planning and assessment study. The findings of this project formulation report provided data and recommendations that have guided the Edgar Shannon Library renovation and addition project.