Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Tech Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown Adaptive Reuse

Scope of Services
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection (MEP/FP) Engineering
 

Virginia Tech transformed the vintage Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center into a graduate education/life space. The goal of this phased renovation was to provide a rich learning environment through spaces, services, and programming that enhance the graduate education experience. With this renovation, the building has remained a tribute to Don Brown, a corporate trailblazer and dedicated Virginia Tech alumnus.

2RW Project Case Study Main Image
Services

The phased renovation in the summers of 2005 and 2006 changed the 1935/1968 vintage Hotel & Conference Center and Alumni Hall into the Graduate Life Center. This renovation focused on the conversion of the bedrooms from transient to full-time occupants, including complete bathroom upgrades, electrical power and lighting improvements, new telecommunication infrastruture, and new lounges, laundry rooms and resident apartment.

2RW provided MEP/FP engineering design for this adaptive reuse, which included:

  • HVAC assessment
  • Bathroom upgrades
  • Electrical power and lighting improvements
  • New telecommunication infrastructure
  • New student lounges
  • Laundry rooms
  • Student apartments
Scope of Services
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection (MEP/FP) Engineering
 

OWNER: Virginia Tech

TIMEFRAME: 2004 – 2005

SIZE: 51,820 SF