In response to college program needs, the existing 13,400 square foot Student Services Building at Virginia Wesleyan College was renovated and expanded into a 36,000 square foot central dining and student activity center for 1,500 students, faculty, staff and alumni. Sited opposite the college library, an activities terrace with a fountain provides an outdoor foyer to the dining center. Inside, public lobbies featuring exposed brick and skylights create an "exterior" entry to a new bookstore, postal facility, student galleria, administrative offices and various dining facilities.
A student-dining hall with audiovisual technology and flexible seating for 50 to 500 accommodates various size assemblies through the use of folding acoustical walls. A full-service kitchen with an open "scramble-style" food service area supports the dining hall. In addition to student activities, the center also offers a private conference center with a boardroom and flexible dining rooms for more formal occasions. These areas are accessible to on- and off-campus visitors from peripheral parking.
The structural system consists of a combination of steel columns, exterior masonry bearing walls and long span joists. Mechanical equipment locations and wall construction detailing provides maximum acoustical isolation for the conference center and assembly spaces. The mechanical system incorporates low velocity supply air design to minimize acoustical impact on the conference center and dining spaces.
