UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
BOARD OF VISITORS
MEETING OF THE
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
COMMITTEE
APRIL 30, 2010
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE
Friday, April 30, 2010
2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Lower East Oval Room, The Rotunda
Committee Members:
The Hon. Lewis F. Payne, Chair
Daniel R. Abramson
The Hon. Alan A. Diamonstein
Susan Y. Dorsey
Helen E. Dragas
Rahul Gorawara
Robert D. Hardie
Vincent J. Mastracco, Jr.
Don R. Pippin
John O. Wynne, Ex-officio
John B. Morse, Jr., Consulting Member
AGENDA
PAGE
•
ACTION ITEMS (Ms. Sheehy)
A.
Project Budget Review, South Chiller Plant
Addition
B.
Concept, Site, and Design Guidelines, Architect/
Engineering Selection, Thrust Theatre
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UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
BOARD OF VISITORS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
BOARD MEETING:
April 30, 2010
COMMITTEE:
Buildings and Grounds
AGENDA ITEM:
A. Project Budget Review, South Chiller
Plant Addition
BACKGROUND: In September 2008, we completed the South Chiller
Plant Addition originally budgeted at $22.5 million. The
project was completed on time and came in $1 million under
budget. The project constructed an 11,000 gross square foot
facility, including the equipment to provide 4,000 tons of the
6,000 ton projected chilled water capacity of the plant. The
plant was critical to supplying chilled water to the CarterHarrison Research Building among other facilities in the Health
System precinct. Because of the higher market prices we faced
when the project was bid, we were forced to defer one 2,000 ton
chiller and one 2,000 kW emergency generator that were
originally part of the project scope. We must now address the
chilled water capacity needed by the new facilities currently in
construction and in design in that precinct, as well as the need
for adequate emergency power in the event of electrical outages.
In accordance with the policy adopted by the Board of
Visitors in October 2004, all capital project budget increases
in excess of ten percent require the approval of the Finance
Committee, the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and the Board of
Visitors.
DISCUSSION: In order to make use of the $1 million in savings
from the original project authorization, we propose expanding
the current project scope to include an additional 2,000 ton
chiller to be placed within the existing building and the
purchase and installation of two 2,000 kW emergency generators.
The need for an additional emergency generator was identified
with the help of an outside engineering firm and the
reexamination of the critical areas in the hospital that require
chilled water in the event of a power outage. The new chiller
will provide redundancy, which is needed given the age of a
large number of the chillers in the North Chiller Plant. In
addition, it will provide capacity for additional loads
associated with new facilities, such as the Battle Building.
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A $12.7 million increase in the
bringing the total project budget to
increase will be funded from Utility
University Bonds that will be repaid
operating revenues.
budget is proposed,
$35.2 million. The budget
Operating Funds and
from Medical Center
ACTION REQUIRED: Approval by the Buildings and Grounds
Committee, the Finance Committee, and by the Executive Committee
of the Board of Visitors
APPROVAL OF PROJECT BUDGET REVIEW, SOUTH CHILLER PLANT ADDITION
RESOLVED, an increase to the South Chiller Plant Addition
project of $12,700,000, bringing the total project budget to
$35,200,000, is approved.
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UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
BOARD OF VISITORS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
BOARD MEETING:
April 30, 2010
COMMITTEE:
Buildings and Grounds
AGENDA ITEM:
B. Concept, Site, and Design Guidelines, and
Architect/Engineer Selection, Drama Building
Additions: Thrust Theatre
$13.5 – $15.0 million Gifts
BACKGROUND: The Thrust Theatre, an addition to the Drama
Building, is included in the Major Capital Projects Program that
was approved at the April 2009 Board of Visitors meeting. This
20,500 GSF facility will include 1) a 300 seat thrust theatre;
2) a new lobby connected to the Drama Building existing lobby;
3) expansion of the Drama Building lobby restroom complex; 4)
dressing rooms and back-of-house support spaces, and 5) a roof
terrace. The planning effort will include an entrance plaza/
patron drop-off area that will serve the Thrust Theatre and the
existing Culbreth and Helms Theatres in the Drama Building. If
funding is available, this feature will be included in the
project scope. The Theatre will be a flexible space that can
support various programs, such as plays, dance, films,
contemporary music, and lectures. This flexibility will allow
the Theatre to support the Drama Department programs and those
of other University Schools and Departments.
At this meeting, the Committee is asked to consider two
resolutions: one approving the concept, site, and design
guidelines for the Thrust Theatre, and the other approving the
selection of the architect/engineer for the project.
DISCUSSION: The Office of the Architect has prepared the
concept, site, and design guidelines which Mr. Neuman will
review with the Committee.
ACTION REQUIRED:
Committee
Approval by the Buildings and Grounds
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APPROVAL OF CONCEPT, SITE, AND DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THE THRUST
THEATRE ADDITION TO THE DRAMA BUILDING
RESOLVED, the concept, site, and design guidelines, dated
April 30, 2010, prepared by the Architect for the University,
for the Thrust Theatre Addition to the Drama Building are
approved; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, the project will be presented for further
review at the schematic design level of development.
ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SELECTION, THRUST THEATRE ADDITION TO THE
DRAMA BUILDING
This $13.5 to $15.0 million project is part of the Major
Capital Projects Program approved at the April 2009 meeting of
the Board of Visitors. Its scope includes a 300 seat theatre,
lobby, dressing rooms, and back-of-house support spaces. The
theatre will be a flexible space that can support plays, dance,
films, contemporary music, and lectures.
We recommend the selection of William Rawn Associates, of
Boston, for the contract. This firm is currently engaged
successfully on the adjacent Rehearsal Hall project, now under
construction; and has been active for many years in planning the
Arts Grounds, including additions to the Drama Building.
ACTION REQUIRED:
Committee
Approval by the Buildings and Grounds
APPROVAL OF ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SELECTION FOR THE THRUST THEATRE
ADDITION TO THE DRAMA BUILDING
RESOLVED, William Rawn Associates, of Boston, is approved
for the performance of architectural and engineering services
for the Thrust Theatre Addition to the Drama Building at the
University of Virginia.
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Thrust Theatre Addition to the Drama Building
Concept, Site and Design Guidelines
A)
Proposed Project Concept
The Thrust Theatre, an addition to the Drama Building, will offer a lively venue for traditional
and experimental performances. Its stage configuration will be more flexible than a traditional
proscenium stage and will be able to support various programs, such as dance, drama,
contemporary music, lectures, or film screenings. It will provide a greater sense of intimacy
between the audience and performers since the performers will be visible from every angle. The
Theatre will provide much needed performance space for the Drama Department’s growing
dance program. Since dance courses were first offered in 2006, the course selection has grown
into a twenty-hour program with forty declared dance minors. Each semester more than 150
students fill every dance course. The Theatre’s flexibility also enables it to support functions
sponsored by other University Schools, Departments, and Units.
The Theatre will be a two story, 20,500 +/- gross square feet structure located at the southeast
corner of the Drama Building. It will be set back into the hillside that frames the main Arts
Commons of the Betsy and John Casteen Arts Grounds. Its scope includes 1) a 300 seat thrust
theatre; 2) a lobby connected to the Drama Building lobby; 3) expansion of the existing Drama
Building lobby restrooms; 4) dressing rooms and back-of-house support spaces, and 5) a roof
terrace. The planning effort will include an entrance plaza / patron drop-off area that will serve
the Thrust Theatre and the existing Culbreth and Helms Theatres in the Drama Building. If
funding is available, this feature will be included in the project scope. The exterior materials
palette will be primarily glass, brick and bluestone to complement other facilities in the Arts
Grounds. The building will have an extensive north-facing glass window wall facing the Arts
Commons, which will flood the lobby with natural light and allow high visibility from the
exterior.
The proposed site offers many advantages. First and foremost is the opportunity to connect the
Thrust Theatre lobby with the existing Drama Building lobby for the Culbreth and Helms
Theatres, thereby creating a larger lobby that can serve all three theatres and accommodate more
patrons. It also allows the theatres to share support facilities, such as the box office, coat room,
concessions and restrooms. Second, the orientation of the theatre’s glass walled lobby towards
the future amphitheater of the Arts Commons and Culbreth Road will enliven the area and
increase the visibility of the theatres from the road. Third, the planned rooftop terrace and
potential entrance plaza/patron drop-off area will help unite the arts facilities and create a sense
of community, providing additional spaces for students, faculty, and patrons to gather. Fourth,
the site’s close proximity to the Culbreth Road Garage will benefit faculty, staff, students and
other patrons who arrive by automobile.
The Theatre and its site improvements will be a major step towards the completion of the Arts
Grounds. Future projects include: a second Drama addition that would include a dance
studio/theatre, faculty offices, a blackbox theatre, lighting and media studios, theatre support
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spaces, and faculty offices; an outdoor amphitheater; expansion of Fiske Kimball Library; and
the UVa Museum addition.
B)
Siting Criteria
The University of Virginia general siting criteria for all new facilities include the following
components. Those highlighted in bold font are the most pertinent in determining the siting
recommendation for the Thrust Theatre Addition.
C)
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Conforms with the overall land use plan and district/area plans.
•
Reinforces functional relationships with other components of the same department
or program, and is compatible with other neighboring uses.
•
Satisfies access requirements - pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular and service.
•
Maximizes infill opportunities to utilize land resources and existing infrastructure.
•
Minimizes site development costs, including extension of utilities, access, loss of
parking, mass grading, etc.
•
Minimizes opportunity cost; i.e., value of this use and size versus other alternatives.
•
Provides a size that is adequate, but not excessive, for initial program, future expansion,
and ancillary uses.
•
Allows for incorporating sustainability principles in terms of solar orientation, reuse of
historic structures, storm water management, etc.
•
Avoids unnecessary environmental impacts, including significant tree removal or filling
of existing stream valleys.
•
Allows site visibility and aesthetic character as appropriate for the intended use and
for the neighborhood.
•
Minimizes time for implementation of project.
Proposed Site
The recommended site is bordered to the south by Campbell Hall (School of Architecture); to the
west by the Drama Building; to the north by Culbreth Road; and to the east by the Arts
Commons, Ruffin Hall (Studio Arts), and the slope separating the lower Arts Commons from the
Campbell Hall terrace. The 2000 Arts Precinct Plan originally located the theatre at the
northwest corner of the Drama Building. This location would have resulted in either a second
public entrance to the Drama Building or a long lobby connection linking the Thrust Theatre
lobby to the main building lobby. This option would have resulted in duplicate support spaces,
such as a box office, coat room, concessions and restrooms. In 2008, a follow-up planning
workshop studied several alternatives, and determined that the currently proposed site resulted in
1) good functional relationships between the addition and the Drama Building, 2) an efficient use
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of land, 3) increased activity in the Arts Common, 4) high visibility from Culbreth Road, 5)
excellent proximity to the Culbreth Road Parking Garage, and 6) significantly reduced capital
and operating costs.
Arts Grounds with Proposed Site
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View of Existing Drama Building and Current Main Lobby
Site Photo of Hillside with Drama Building (right)
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Conceptual Section View of Thrust Theatre set into Hillside
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D)
Design Guidelines
Overall
- Conform to the intent and objectives of the 2005-06 University of Virginia Design Guide
& Material Palette (rev. 2009).
Site Planning
- Set the building into the hillside to mask its volume; minimize its intrusion into the Arts
Commons; and allow for a landscaped terrace overlook.
- Orient the main entry to Culbreth Road, the Arts Commons, and the Culbreth Road
Parking Garage.
- Utilize grade changes to allow ease of ADA entry options to the building and access to
the Arts Commons.
- Utilize existing service areas of Drama Building for this addition.
Circulation and Parking
- Plan for an entry plaza adjacent to the building lobby.
- Plan for an enhanced vehicle drop-off area for theatre and box office patrons.
- Provide an accessible path to the building lobby from the Culbreth Road Parking Garage
elevator.
- Provide adequate bicycle parking for users of the Drama Building and its addition.
- Incorporate an exterior staircase into building design to replace existing stairs.
Architecture
- Overall building design should integrate “sound planning, strong landscape and
memorable architecture”.
- Achieve basic LEED Certification; a higher level is strongly encouraged.
- Utilize brick and stone walls, clear glazings, and other materials and colors consistent
with the UVa palette, as utilized in existing Arts Grounds buildings.
- Set the building so that its lobby elevation matches the elevation of the Drama Building
lobby.
- Utilize sizeable window areas on the north side of the building lobby to provide natural
light into the lobby and to allow high visibility from the exterior, while still maintaining
appropriate solar (heat and glare) controls.
- Incorporate design details that relate to the neighboring Arts Grounds buildings; (i.e.,
Campbell Hall, Rehearsal Hall, Ruffin Hall and Drama Building).
Landscape
- Comply with 2008 Grounds Plan and Landscape Master Plan in overall design intent.
- Develop contextual landscape appearance for the immediate building site that conforms
to and accommodates the intent and objectives of the Arts Commons Plan.
- Integrate the building into the topography and Arts Common landscape in a manner that
creates a unified central open space for use by the entire arts community on Carr’s Hill.
- Preserve and protect as many existing major trees as possible and incorporate them into
the overall design. Replant at least as many trees as may be lost.
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Carefully locate and screen above-grade utilities; e.g., transformers, backflow preventers
with appropriate screen wall materials. Screening is not to be accomplished solely with
vegetation.
Roof terrace and garden will incorporate best management practices for successful
vegetative growth on a roof structure and provide sufficient root zone volume for the
healthy growth of the selected plant materials.
Site furnishings will comply with the UVa Facilities Design Guidelines.
Exterior lighting will comply with the UVa Facilities Design Guidelines.
Exterior graphics will comply with University sign standards.
Plantings shall not create safety or security concerns.
Landscape design must incorporate required stormwater quality and quantity standards of
the existing stormwater management plan.
Review and Compliance
The Office of the Architect for the University is responsible for the review and approval of
project compliance with these guidelines.
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