University receives its first LEED certification for Theatre 101, Henderson Hall renovation
Virginia Tech's Theatre 101 and the Henderson Hall renovation project has been awarded LEED Gold certification as established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
LEED®, which stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” was designed by USGBC to encourage and facilitate the development of more sustainable buildings, and it is the industry standard for green buildings. Two USGBC LEED Gold certification plaques will be unveiled on Earth Day 2010, Thursday, April 22. Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger will participate in the celebration on the steps of Theatre 101 at 11:30 a.m.
“This is a monumental achievement for our campus because it represents the first LEED-certified building in Blacksburg,” said Denny Cochrane, the sustainability program manager in the Office of Sustainability, Facilities Services Department at Virginia Tech. Theatre 101 and the Henderson Hall renovation, which had its debut performance last October, achieved LEED certification on Feb. 5, 2010 for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.
“By using less energy and water, LEED-certified buildings reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a healthier environment for students, faculty, staff, and the larger community,” said Gary Mason, project manager for University Planning, Design, and Construction.
Green design and construction features include
- 79 percent of all construction waste diverted from landfills through recycling efforts;
- 20 percent of construction materials manufactured using recycled content products;
- 26 percent of construction materials manufactured within a 500-mile radius;
- 90 percent of regularly occupied spaces are daylit, providing significant amount of natural light;
- Renovation and reuse of Henderson Hall, originally built in 1951;
- Bioretention basin for improved stormwater management;
- 20 percent reduction in water use; and
- 35 percent reduction in energy use.
“Virginia Tech’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO, and founding chair, USGBC. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before. And, the Theatre 101 and the Henderson Hall renovation serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”
An academic building with performance space, Theatre 101 is nestled in the L-shape of Henderson Hall with its breezy lobby and front stairs leading out onto the end of Draper Road at College Avenue.
Theatre 101 is home to the entire Department of Theatre Arts and Cinema. Henderson Hall houses portions of the Department of Art and Art History and the School of Visual Arts and faculty from the Department of Music.
Henderson Hall was built in 1876 and used as home for presidents until it was converted, along with a 1902 addition, into an infirmary. Renovated space includes critique and seminar rooms for the School of Performing Arts and Cinema and the School of Visual Arts, computer and design labs, costume shop, lighting lab, editing studio, scene and design model shops, a digital fabrication studio, and a dozen practice rooms for music.
