The completion of Liberty University’s Residential Commons IV marks another milestone in the university’s campus expansion, providing state-of-the-art accommodations for over 650 students. As the fourth high-rise dormitory in the Commons series, this 10-story, 166,908-square-foot facility stands as a testament to innovation, efficiency, and collaboration between Southern Air, Liberty University, and General Contractor Vannoy Construction. Southern Air earned the bid as a key subcontractor responsible for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as building automation and commissioning for the planned/spec build. This project’s success was made possible through meticulous planning, lessons learned from past builds, and the unparalleled value Southern Air brings to its clients.

Building on Experience: Lessons from Commons II and III

Having previously contributed to the construction of Commons II and III, Southern Air leveraged experience to refine our approach for Commons IV. Led by Mechanical Operations Manager Matt Jackson, the knowledge gained from earlier projects allowed his teams to anticipate challenges and optimize their efficiency. One of the biggest takeaways from Commons IV was the value of prefabrication. By expanding our prefab capabilities across the trades, we were able to safely increase speed, maintain quality, and stay ahead of the project schedule.

Critical Early-Stage Work: Installing Vertical Risers in a 10-Story Building

Southern Air Mechanical Project Manager Andy Lucy and his team understood the significance of proper planning for multi-story buildings. The installation of vertical risers was a critical early-stage task and key to the plumbing, air, and hydronic systems. Without them in place, all horizontal piping, above ceiling plumbing, air and hydronic systems would have no place to tie-in and make connections, making the risers very critical. Thanks to proactive coordination and experience from previous dorm builds, the team executed this stage flawlessly, ensuring all systems were integrated smoothly.

Prefabrication: The Cornerstone of Commons IV’s Success

Our reliance on prefabrication services was the cornerstone of this project’s success. In our prefabrication facility, we built the essential “wet walls” which separate dorm room sinks from showers, incorporating all necessary plumbing before they were delivered to the site. This reduced on-site labor, minimized errors, and streamlined installation in the field. Resource Manager Ron Moore oversaw prefabrication coordination, ensuring shower bases, waste and vent lines, and water runs were all pre-assembled, saving countless hours in the field.

“This was one of the smoothest jobs I’ve ever run or been a part of,” says Lucy. “Our team was prepared, dictated the pace of our work, pushed the job overall which is a credit to the prefab, to the foremen and the teams we had on the project. They made my life easy. The team we put together for this project was critical to make this as smooth and successful as it was.”

Our plumbing/piping prefabrication team, including mechanics Landon Fischer, Steve Williams, and Payton Kofeldt, executed the plumbing work with precision. Using clear layouts and prints provided by our Building Information Modeling team, they ensured all materials were prepared and delivered on time, keeping construction ahead of schedule. By pre-building HVAC piping and domestic water runs in sections, our field teams only needed to make final adjustments on-site. This method significantly reduced the number of connections required, allowing field crews to cruise through installations when they had material in hand.

High-Rise Electrical: Code Compliance, Emergency Power, and 330 Pre-Fab Boxes

Electrical installation presented unique challenges due to the dormitory’s classification as a high-rise. Electrical Project Manager Jonathan Bailess and his team successfully managed the complex power distribution system, which was fed from a shared transformer with Commons III. The emergency power system was another standout feature, with a single generator supporting both the dorm and the Reber-Thomas Dining Hall next door. High-rise electrical code compliance required strict coordination with engineers and inspectors. Bailess and his team’s expertise ensured a smooth approval process.

Just like mechanical, our electrical team relied on prefabrication similar to those used in plumbing and HVAC. Custom pre-fabricated electrical boxes were designed and assembled in advance, allowing for a rapid, streamlined installation across all 330 dorm rooms. This strategic approach minimized on-site labor and enhanced consistency in quality thanks to our prefabrication electricians.

Building Information Modeling: Precision Coordination Across Every Trade

Southern Air’s Building Information Modeling team played a crucial role in the LU Commons IV project, ensuring precise coordination between mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Led by BIM Manager Wayne Harris, with Jeremy Fulcher (HVAC) and Robert Ginter (Piping), the team leveraged their experience from previous LU dorm projects to streamline planning and execution. Their expertise was vital in reconfiguring the mechanical room layout, working closely with operations to make it more accessible and efficient. Fulcher meticulously vetted stud walls to ensure ductwork fit without interfering with other trades, a unique challenge due to the building’s cold-formed steel construction type. The team’s dedication to strategic planning and service clearances not only optimized installation but also showcased Southern Air’s BIM capabilities.

Commissioning and Building Automation: 5,000 Control Points Across 10 Floors

The leadership of Matt Jackson in redesigning the mechanical room layout improved efficiency and provided Liberty University with a better end product. His guidance improved accessibility and system layout while enhancing long-term maintenance access and serviceability. With the equipment in place and ready to run, it was time for Southern Air’s Commissioning and Building Automation Systems teams to turn them on and make sure they were programmed correctly. Our commissioning team, led by Gary Gilliam, Joe Tibbs, Jesse Plunket, and Tyler Hurley played a vital role in the testing and start-up of equipment, guaranteeing a flawless transition to operation.

This was a massive controls job for Southern Air. BAS Project Managers Jason Myers, Jeff Claytor and their team custom-built and installed controls for all 330 fan coil units. Utilizing Honeywell controls, the team meticulously installed every sensor in tight spaces. This project also required an extensive control network, with five JACE (Java Application Control Engine) panels managing nearly 400 devices, far exceeding the standard one or two panels typically found in similar buildings.

BAS Foreman Daniel Taylor led the installation, methodically driving his team floor by floor to maintain quality and efficiency, while BAS Technician Casey Walshaw undertook the monumental task of point-to-point testing more than 5,000 individual control points. Their work extended beyond the fan coils to the mechanical room, where they programmed the hot water and chilled water systems, including the four boilers. Throughout the build, the BAS team worked closely with the Commissioning team, ensuring all systems functioned flawlessly upon start-up.

A Collaborative Build: On Schedule, on Quality, Every Floor

Project Manager Anthony Barry was a huge help on the management side. He worked seamlessly with foremen Rusty Staples (piping), Chris Nuckles (plumbing), and Dennis Zuniga (sheet metal) who all exemplified outstanding leadership throughout the project. They worked closely with Vannoy Construction creating a collaborative environment that kept the project running smoothly. Open communication, shared problem-solving, and mutual respect between teams contributed to one of the smoothest builds in recent years.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Commons IV project was the ability to maintain control over the schedule. Many large-scale construction projects face delays, but Southern Air remained ahead at every stage. This level of preparedness and efficiency is a direct result of our commitment to prefabrication, strategic planning from lessons learned, and the dedication of our field teams.

MEP Excellence That Will Serve Generations of Students

As Liberty University welcomed students into their new residence, Southern Air takes immense pride in knowing our work contributed to a state-of-the-art facility that will serve generations to come. Our ability to bring multiple trades together under one roof, working cohesively toward a shared goal, is what sets us apart from other subcontractors. By continuously improving our processes and leveraging past experiences, we ensure our clients receive the highest level of service and value.

The success of Commons IV exemplifies what can be achieved when expertise, innovation, and teamwork converge. As Southern Air continues to take on new challenges, we remain committed to delivering exceptional results, proving once again when it comes to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing excellence, no one does it better than we do!

Interested in joining a team that takes on projects like this? See our open positions.