Tidewater Community College Bayside Student Services Building Renovation
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Overview
Tidewater Community College’s Bayside Building is a 43,000-square-foot student services facility and the first public-use building in the Commonwealth of Virginia completed under the Virginia Energy Conservation and Environmental Standards (VEES), Virginia’s alternative green building certification program. The project transformed a 1970s-era campus library into a centralized student services hub providing admissions, enrollment services, financial aid, academic advising, testing, and other resources within a welcoming, easily navigable environment. Thompson Consulting Engineers provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design, Construction Administration, and Commissioning services, incorporating a high-efficiency variable air volume (VAV) HVAC system, LED lighting with occupancy controls, natural daylighting, and other energy-conscious strategies. The revitalized facility supports TCC’s student services mission while demonstrating the energy efficiency, resource conservation, indoor environmental quality, and long-term operational performance envisioned by the VEES program.
Challenges
- Renovating an existing campus building to accommodate consolidated student service functions.
- Integrating modern, energy-efficient building systems within the constraints of the original structure.
- Coordinating construction activities to minimize disruption to campus operations.
Goals
- Create a centralized, student-focused environment that improved accessibility and service delivery.
- Enhance energy efficiency and building performance through upgraded systems and controls.
- Provide reliable, flexible infrastructure to support evolving campus needs.
Project Team
- Owner: Virginia Community College System
- Architect: RRMM
- Contractor: Hourigan Construction
Results
- Successfully delivered a revitalized student services facility for Tidewater Community College.
- Improved building efficiency and occupant comfort through modernized mechanical and lighting systems.
- Enhanced the student experience by consolidating services within an efficient, welcoming environment.
