The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced that Bowie Gridley Architects’ renovation of Mason and Randolph Halls and contextual addition at the University of Mary Washington, in Fredericksburg, VA has earned LEED© Gold Certification. The project has transformed the traditional dormitory into a vibrant living-learning center.  The addition is designed in a traditional vocabulary compatible with the existing Georgian style.  It provides a new focal point for a prominent campus quadrangle and includes a variety of informal gathering spaces and seminar rooms that are shared by residents and the larger campus community.  Renovations to the c.1952 residence halls include all new life safety, integrated technology, key-less entry, and mechanical and electrical systems upgrades.  Resident rooms and faculty apartments are interspersed with lounge and study venues, bringing a fresh new look to prominent collaboration and relaxation spaces.  BGA Project Manager, Leslie W. Louden, AIA, a LEED© Accredited Professional, noted that “sustainability was woven throughout the design, from the re-purposing of the original structure to maximizing space utilization by combining living and learning in one facility.”  Features, including murals on corridor walls depicting Chesapeake Bay tributaries, site signage, and the University’s  first interactive energy-use dashboard, serve as teaching tools, connecting students’ daily experiences with a deeper understanding of the connection between their way of life and the environment.

Founded in 1981, Bowie Gridley Architects specializes in work for institutions of community significance – academic and student life facilities, performing arts centers, libraries, athletic and recreational facilities, museums and cultural centers. The architecture, planning and interior design firm is based in historic Georgetown and works with clients throughout the U.S and abroad.