Virginia Tech’s $1-billion-plus capital construction portfolio alone might well be enough to merit the school’s consideration as ENR MidAtlantic Owner of the Year. But the university’s recognition also reflects its longstanding commitment to collaborate with faculty, staff and stakeholders to ensure all projects meet the evolving needs of students, faculty and the broader community. 

This approach has helped the university extend its reach well beyond its 2,600-acre main campus in Blacksburg. Along with multiple research stations across Virginia, and the Steger Center for International Scholarship in Switzerland, the university’s new mixed-use Innovation Campus in Alexandria, Va., aims to create a “tech ecosystem” with the close proximity of Amazon’s new HQ2 and other diverse industry partners in the nearby nation’s capital.

Virginia Tech also has sought to blend academic research with its construction projects, as evidenced by the recently completed Hitt Hall. home to the Myers-Lawson School of Construction. The 100,000-sq-ft multipurpose facility includes a unique two-story innovation lab that provides program opportunities for temporary and large-scale student-based projects and a 600-seat full-service dining facility. Hitt Hall was funded by a donation from the Hitt Family Foundation, led by Brett Hitt, co-chairman of Falls Church, Va.-based HITT Contracting Inc., with matching contributions from four additional donors.

Dwyn Taylor, university vice president for facilities, discussed the multifaceted capital program’s success with ENR. This Q&A has been edited and condensed.

Dwyn Taylor, Virginia Tech vice president for facilities

Virginia Tech has many capital construction projects underway. What’s driving all of these projects?

Virginia Tech has created a strong sense of place and provides a world-class instructional and research environment. This has created a need for the capital program to both predict and respond to the changing campus needs. Virginia Tech, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, is committed to proactive and intentional investment in the university’s capital program. This partnership is often supplemented through other sources of funds such as philanthropy.

You have many competing interests when it comes to facilities. How do you balance them as their respective functions change?

The alignment of our award-winning campus master plan with our university’s strategic plan establishes a vision and framework through which we are able to execute a highly effective capital program. Our project planning processes consider multiple priorities and perspectives to achieve the best outcome for the university. Once projects are approved by our Board of Visitors, design ideas and concepts are thoroughly vetted through many stakeholders to maximize utility and function to Virginia Tech.

Do your geographically diverse facilities require differing types of construction management?

Our construction management approaches are standardized across our portfolio—but with sufficient flexibility to address the unique characteristics and requirements each project typically brings. For projects not in close proximity to the Blacksburg campus, we have an on-demand third-party contract that we can use to be the ears and eyes on the project site while still maintaining project management oversight centrally. In the case of leased or international projects, work is typically outsourced via our real estate management group and often in concert with the Virginia Tech Foundation Inc.

How are you addressing Virginia Tech’s commitment to sustainability in buildings and facilities?

Our climate action commitment highlights pathways to integrate energy optimization into new and existing facilities. New buildings are required to achieve a LEED Silver rating or higher while simultaneously pushing the envelope on advanced system integration and use of new technology to ensure they are as environmentally sustainable as possible. We’ve also executed projects that include retro-commissioning buildings, added metering installations, chilled water system optimizations, lighting upgrades and installation of rooftop solar collection systems. We leverage student interest through a Green Request for Proposals program, which encourages them to submit ideas for projects that support environmental stewardship such as LED lighting retrofits, water refill stations to promote reusable bottles and bike rack installations to promote cycling across campus.

How do your projects supplement classroom education?

Our capital construction program supports class tours on a regular basis to include the Myers-Lawson School of Construction, civil engineering and architecture programs and other departments. We also support industry research grants through the Myers-Lawson School building construction department.