Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.
Retrofit Team
Retrofit Team
CONSULTING ENGINEERS: Lawrence Perry & Associates, Roanoke, Va.
Materials
The campus currently is in the midst of a $500 million rebuilding plan designed to promote a sense of community, encourage stewardship through energy conservation and enhance academic opportunity. Construction projects are designed to produce state-of-the-art facilities with advanced building systems that maximize energy efficiency through smart, expandable, automatic lighting control systems.
Charles Spence, the college’s senior vice president for Planning and Construction, has taken a long-term view of campus expansion. One of his goals has been to standardize a system that provides essential, beautiful lighting and shade control when it is installed and can be expanded easily as the university continues to grow. Spence chose standalone wireless and Quantum Total Light Management systems to deliver energy savings and provide the ability to measure and analyze lighting use. Wireless protocols help to “future proof” the system, allowing changes and reprogramming without rewiring or otherwise disrupting the previously installed controls.
The projects include vacancy sensors throughout Residential Commons I and II and lighting and shade control systems in the Science Hall, LaHaye Student Union and DeMoss Student Center. In residence halls, simple, wireless vacancy sensors in each room reduce energy waste without relying on students to remember to turn off the lights, but students can still turn lights on and off from convenient, wireless wall controls. To create more vibrant, welcoming public spaces at any time of the day, the university installed integrated lighting and shade-control solutions that automatically change according to time of day and daylight availability. Networked, digital control offers the ability to standardize across the campus and deliver customized results depending on the specific building purpose and the way occupants utilize lighting control.
WIRELESS AND SHADE-CONTROL SYSTEMS MANUFACTURER: Lutron Electronics Co. Inc.
The Retrofit
As the university approaches its 45th year, its leaders recognize every aspect of the campus environment works to improve the student experience. Installing lighting controls that help reduce energy costs while improving the living, learning atmosphere is one important piece of a master plan that defines a vibrant future for the Liberty University community.
PHOTO: Lutron Electronics Co. Inc.