Moseley Architects

The Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College officially broke ground on a new three-story 80,000-square-foot academic building on June 26. The building will replace the current Tyler Building on campus.

The state-of-the-art facility will incorporate several key elements such as transparent spaces, flexible uses and a visually-exciting architectural environment – all in an effort to draw in students and engage their passion.

Moseley Architects

NOVA President Dr. Robert G. Templin Jr., told a crowd of about 50 guests under a hot sun that the new building is part of a larger effort by the college to increase access for an additional 25,000 students. The building is the eighth erected at NOVA in a decade, he said.

Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille congratulated the college for its continued effort in educating not only Alexandria residents, but those students who live “across the nation and around the globe.”

“We look forward to your continued success,” he said. “Your best days are yet to come.”

The new building is being constructed in a way so it will be energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly. Dr. Michael Wooten, chair of the Northern Virginia Community College Board, said that the “new facility would be better for the environment and for the people who inhabit it.”

Two streets on campus will also be renamed, said Dr. Ronald Buchanan. Buchanan is the acting provost for Alexandria campus. A portion of East Campus Drive will be renamed to honor provost and faculty member Dr. Jean Netherton, who passed away in 2011. West Campus Drive will be renamed in honor of Dr. Donald L. Bisdorf, the campus’ first provost.

Moseley Architects

The new building will house the music, studio arts, dance and drama programs. The structure will also include administrative offices, classrooms, activity rooms, a bookstore and a black box theatre. In addition, there will be three outdoor terraces erected for studio work and student lounge areas.

Tyler Building used to house the office of NOVA Fortnightly.

The building is designed to receive the U.S. Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Environmental Engineering & Design) Silver Certification. LEED is the USGBC’s rating system for the design and construction of energy-efficient and high-performing buildings.

Construction is expected to last about 18 months. Moseley Architects based in Warrenton, Va., is the project architect and the project contractor is Branch Daffan, which is headquartered in Manassas, Va.

By: NOVA College

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