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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 began in fall 2023 is scheduled to be completed by summer 2024.
Primary consultants: Raymond Engineering (architect) and SRC Construction (general contractor)
Below is a summary of the work that will be completed as a part of the project. It is important to note that many of the projects will overlap and the timeline is subject to change.
Masonry (September 2023 - August 2024)
- Repoint all brick and stone mortar joints.
- Remove the parge coat at the base of the building and install new coating.
- Remove and replace broken and cracked brick units.
- Patch and repair spalled and cracked stone units.
- Clean the façade.
- Install non-penetrating sealer on all masonry surfaces.
- Remove abandoned conduits and equipment from the building and patching masonry.
Windows (late October 2023 - August 2024)
- Repair, replace or seal all windows and doors to be weather tight.
- Remove and replace window glazing.
- Restore areas of rotten wood identified on exterior (and interior as applicable) surfaces of windows using wood restoration epoxy. Prime and paint all exterior wood surfaces.
- Remove and replace the perimeter sealant of each window and door.
- Install sealants to make windows non-operable, with the exception of fire escape locations.
Low-slope reroofing (roof B) (November - mid-December 2023)
- Remove existing roofing assembly, flashings, metal flashings and miscellaneous items.
- Remove existing mechanical shed and equipment, abandoned mechanical ductwork, skylights, roof access doors and frames, access ships ladder, stairs, and fall protection railings.
- Repair or replace damaged or deteriorated wood and concrete deck.
- Install new wood blocking at existing-to-remain equipment curbs.
- Install new gypsum thermal barrier, adhered vapor barrier, fully adhered flat polyisocyanurate insulation and board, fully adhered cover board, new PVC membrane, flashings, and metal flashings.
- Install new roof access doors and frame, skylights, fall protection railings, access ladder, and stairs.
- Install new gutter liners, coatings and downspouts.
Mansard reroofing (mid-December 2023 - May 2024)
- Remove and reuse serviceable existing slate roofing tiles.
- Remove the attic skylight and enclose the opening.
- Remove existing underlayment and coated copper roofing, sheet metal flashing, and accessories.
- Repair or replace damaged or deteriorated deck.
- Install new self-adhering, vapor barrier and vented nail base assembly.
- Install new copper gutters, external downspouts, downspout basket strainers and custom fabricated clean-outs, sheet metal flashings, step flashings, and accessories.
Painting (May - August 2024)
- Paint all existing and new wood components (e.g., windows and doors), the fire escape and window well railings.
Drainage (July - August 2024)
- Install new roof drainage, drain cleanouts and polycarbonate window well covers.
- Inspect below-grade drain lines for blockages and breaks.
The graphic below depicts the work to be completed during phase one of the project.
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.