Virginia Commonwealth University, Raleigh Building Renovation
Richmond, Virginia
Design Team: John Ozmore, AIA (DJG); Donald Booth, AIA, LEED AP (DJG); Julie Dunks, AIA (DJG) Adam Mickiewicz, PE (DJG); Kelly Harr, CID (DJG); Peter Bennett, PE, LEED AP (DJG); Alex Hindley, PE, LEED AP (DJG); Gary Strand, PE (SGH); Nick Piteo, PE (SGH); Darren Curtis, PLA, LEED AP
Constructed in 1907, the Raleigh Building has been transformed into the new home for the Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Three stories above Richmond’s historic downtown, the former apartment house has been given new life.
The project stripped the interior to the structure and redesigned it to a modern 21st-century educational and administrative facility with a LEED Gold certification. Upgrades include a refined layout, full accessibility, energy-efficient building envelope, and new mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems.
Visitors enter through restored main doors into a grand two-story entrance hall with modern glass and steel rails and decorative contemporary chandelier. Working with the Department of Historical Resources, the architect enhanced the building envelope while maintaining the historic exterior. New interior stair towers replaced the exterior fire escapes. The wood, double-hung windows were removed, repaired, and reinstalled with an interior aluminum window. The entire façade was cleaned, repaired, and repointed. The design enabled VCU to preserve and modernize the building.
The design provides bigger staff offices, modern training rooms, department collaborative spaces, individual staff and student lounges, and a contemporary grand entrance.
Additional Information
Associated Firm
Simpson Gumpertz Heger (SGH)
Featured in
2019 Architectural Portfolio
Category
Adaptive Reuse
Product suppliers specified
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