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Founders Hall Building Envelope Rehabilitation
Founders Hall was built in the mid-1880s as a private residence for local entrepreneur E. A. Saunders. Then, in 1925, the Richmond Professional Institute acquired the building, later becoming VCU’s first building on the Monroe Park Campus. It has since served as a residence hall, dining hall, infirmary, and currently houses several College of Humanities and Sciences units. The building is also a part of the West Franklin Street Historic District as recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2021, VCU partnered with Raymond Engineering to assess and determine how best to maintain and preserve the historic building, which identified the need to rehabilitate the building envelope. In fall 2023, the building envelope rehabilitation construction began. The project consists of exterior restoration of the original Saunders house, including copper and slate roof replacements, low-slope roof replacements, brick and stone masonry restoration, and window repairs. Work also includes installing a thermal envelope in the attic space and reworking access to the attic. The chiller and fire alarm system will also be replaced, which will be separate from the building envelope project.
The building remains open for business throughout the duration of the project.
Project status: Under construction
Location: 827 W. Franklin Street
Estimated cost: $3.2 million
Funding source: State maintenance reserve funds
Estimated timeline: Construction of phase one began in fall 2023 is anticipated to be completed in early 2025. Construction of phase two will follow and is anticipated to be completed by early 2026.
Primary consultants: Raymond Engineering (architect) and SRC Construction (general contractor)
Q: Prior to construction beginning, what type of inspections were conducted to ensure the space is safe for faculty and staff to continue working in the building while it is under construction?
A: Safety is the utmost priority for each VCU construction project. To ensure the safety of occupants and construction workers, VCU works with certified vendors to inspect the areas that will be impacted by construction.
Prior to construction beginning in Founders Hall, VCU contracted FEI, an environmental consulting service, to conduct a comprehensive asbestos and lead-based paint inspection of suspect building materials on the exterior and attic space of the building that will be impacted by construction, including the roofing materials, roof mechanical penthouse and interior attic space. FEI found that there is no health risk to occupants.
Q: Why is there material covering the entire building?
A: A scaffolding fence (i.e., scrim) must be installed at construction sites that use scaffolding to work on the exterior of the building. Scrim protects both the workers and the project from wind and other elements. Scrim is made of permeable material and does not contribute to mold or mildew, despite its color.
Q: What happens if occupants have concerns about potential mold or air quality during construction or after it is complete?
A: VCU faculty and staff can report concerns via VCU Facilities Management’s Facilities Self Service. VCU Safety and Risk Management, Environmental Health and Safety will then conduct an indoor air quality (IAQ) assessment that consists of visually inspecting the space; measuring indoor comfort parameters (e.g., temperature and relative humidity); verifying that the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are working properly; gathering feedback from occupants regarding their comfort, health and any potential IAQ issues; and, when warranted, conducting air sample testing for volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and potential biological contaminants (e.g., mold). Mold is a fungus that can be found indoors and outdoors in all climates at all times of the year. When environmental conditions are dry and cool, mold does not actively grow.
Click here to learn more about the IAQ process.
If you have questions or concerns about this project, please contact askfmd@vcu.edu.