Southern Air recently completed a rather large project at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA with the brand-new Reber-Thomas Dining Hall. Our mechanical group earned the HVAC, plumbing and piping scopes of work from the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. Our responsibilities spanned from designing and acquiring equipment to installing and assessing these crucial infrastructure systems. After many successfully completed projects at Liberty, Southern Air remains committed to upholding the pinnacle of efficiency and operational excellence, providing another functional state-of-the-art facility for the school and its students.

A 120,000 Sq Ft Dining Hall for 3,000 Students

The Reber-Thomas Dining Hall is a sprawling two-story building with a floor space of 120,000 square feet designed to accommodate more than 3,000 students. The space provides 40% more interior space than the previous food court. Not only does it offer seating indoors and outdoors, but the facility is also equipped with 27 distinct food stations. From an exclusive gluten-free bake shop and an allergen-free room to specialized chef stations dedicated to teaching cooking classes, the variety is vast and meticulously planned. This project has also economically benefited the Lynchburg community, generating 100 new jobs.

The design included additional booths, an assortment of small to large tables, and seats by the windows that offer views of the Academic Lawn and Liberty Lake. Students can eat downstairs in a lower-level seating section. An extended covered patio was also in the blueprint along with expanded overhead protection covering the main entrance and an increased number of turnstiles.

Southern Air’s Mechanical Scope: HVAC, Heating, and Hot Water

Southern Air’s task was multi-faceted:

• HVAC Systems: Installation of five rooftop units (RTUs), two Makeup Air Units (MAUs), and four Air Handling Units (AHUs)
• Heating/Cooling Systems: Connection to the Campus Chiller Plant for cooling and installation of three Lochinvar boilers for heating
• Hot Water Supply: Two Lochinvar water heaters and two Inteli-Hot water heaters

BIM and Engineering: From 3D Models to Field Installation

A project this size spends significant time being worked on before boots ever hit the dirt of a construction site. As a design/build project, Southern Air’s engineers and building information modeling (BIM) department were involved straight away. The BIM objective was to assist in creating the preliminary design layout. This gave way for our engineer’s redesign to be coordinated within the building so a full 3D model to be created. BIM created computer models for the mechanical and plumbing systems, running clash detection software to ensure nothing “bumped” into each other. Catching a layout error on the computer is much easier than catching it in the field during installation. They also focused on ease of installation for field teams while creating and running multiple systems throughout the building.

“Liberty University’s Reber-Thomas was a project BIM and Engineering got to work closely together and this helped Southern Air steer the design to be advantageous for us,” says Jeremy Fulcher, Southern Air BIM (HVAC) Coordinator. “Everyone involved worked hard, worked through ever changing field conditions and worked around design changes – like instead of having one massive rooftop, we had multiple smaller units to provide better zone control.”

Fabrication Shop, Trimble, and Field Teams in Lockstep

For the designers, moving from the computer to the building also moved them from working with engineers to the Fabrication Shop, Trimble and field crews. Fab Shop Operations Manager Mark Creasey and Fab Shop Forman Archie Thomas provided time-sensitive feedback about HVAC downloads and were always available for a phone call. They worked well with Trimble Manager Scott Stevens and Trimble Coordinator Michael Langley to streamline the GPS point system ensuring everything was installed exactly where it should be per the designs. Superintendent Brad Elkins, Project Manager Anthony Barry and HVAC Foreman Dennis Zuniga continued to illustrate why they boast the industries best field teams.

“It takes many smart individuals to bring a project of this size together but Jeremy Fulcher and Anthony Barry played a big role behind the scenes and making sure Southern Air succeeded,” says Wayne Harris, Southern Air BIM Manager. “Jeremy worked tirelessly many days with the Fab Shop to ensure duct orders were correct along with added structural support. Anthony made it his mission to ensure all plumbing and piping roughed-in the walls were noted correctly and would catch some of our overlooked items from time to time.”

26 Kitchen Hoods, 24 Fire Suppression Systems, and a Summer Deadline

From installing five rooftop units and connecting the facility to the Campus Chiller Plant, to ensuring an uninterrupted hot water supply, Southern Air’s expertise was central in every mechanical aspect. Given the massive size and complex layout of the dining hall, this job presented a myriad of challenges. The project’s timeline was tied to the academic calendar. With the school year ending in spring and restarting in fall, there was only a brief summer window to ensure the transition.

However, each challenge was accepted as a new opportunity for Southern Air installation teams. This involved relocating and installing 26 exhaust kitchen hoods, 24 of which had specialized ANSUL fire suppression systems, and testing them rigorously. We installed a tremendous amount of soda lines, a hot oil reclamations system and an unimaginable amount of large heavy cast iron piping. Our teams skillfully orchestrated the installation of stainless steel grease duct and the ‘dog boxes’ for AHUs and MAUs, blending math, science, and art seamlessly. With precise planning and preparation, Southern Air tradespeople tackled these challenges head-on, ensuring everything was ready and set to grill for the influx of students in the fall.

“To truly appreciate the sense of pride in our accomplishments, one need only view it through the eyes of the parents who entrust us with the well-being of their children as they embark on their educational journeys,” says Southern Air Project Manager Anthony Barry. “It’s a reminder of the meaningful impact we have on the lives of many, and I consider it a privilege to be part of such a remarkable journey.”

Open in Time for Fall Semester: Another Beautiful Building

The Reber-Thomas Dining Hall opened its doors and fired up the grills in August just in time for the fall 2023 semester. Our teams walk away feeling a real satisfaction that is as much personal as it is professional. Beyond the architectural marvel, this building signifies comfort and sustenance for thousands of students. It’s heartwarming to realize our work contributes to the well-being and comfort of these students during a pivotal chapter of their lives.

At Southern Air, we remain committed to excellence, ensuring our projects, no matter how large or small, stand as hallmarks of quality and dedication. Thanks to all those who worked on the Reber-Thomas project. You’ve built another beautiful building!

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