Since its completion, the award-winning Virginia Beach Convention Center has become the centerpiece of a 40-year master plan to green Virginia Beach and reinvigorate the classic resort town. A soaring 147-foot glass and steel tower pays homage to the city’s historic lighthouse, while lightweight trusses support a curving glass curtain wall. The lobby features a panoramic video screen that displays both commissioned digital artwork and event information.
The center includes four reconfigurable halls with 40-foot ceilings and a 240-foot clear span roof. A significant feat of engineering,the roof is one of the largest column-free spans in the United States. The facility also contains a grand ballroom, meeting rooms, and a community park with plants that tolerate drought.
Sustainable features include energy-efficient glazing and lighting and HVAC systems programmed to conserve electricity during off hours. These elements helped the center achieve “Virginia Green” certification from a statewide program to reduce the environmental impacts of the tourism industry.
Virginia Beach Convention Center
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Project Facts
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Project Completion: 2007
Site Area: 37.80 acres
Project Area: 516,522 ft2
Number of Stories: 4
Building Height: 147 ft
Market: Convention
Service: Architecture, Interior Design, MEP, Structural + Civil Engineering
Awards
2008
IDEAS2 - Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel: Greater than $75 million Category, National Award WinnerAmerican Institute of Steel Construction2007
Virginia Green CertificationVirginia Department of Environmental Equality2007
Innovation Award: Floor GridTrade Show Executive2007
Plaque of HonorReal Estate & Construction Review2007
Prime Site AwardFacilities & Destinations Magazine2007
Reader's Choice Award: WinnerConvention South Magazine2007
Public Works Project of the YearAmerican Public Works Association2007
Distinguished Building AwardAIA – Chicago Chapter2006
Best Institutional Public Building: First Honor AwardHampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate2006
Citation for ExcellenceArchitectural Record/Business Week2005
Design AwardVirginia Beach Planning CommissionSee Also...

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