THE SKINNY

Do you like the new doors in the commons? The CT talked to Director of Student Commons Activities Tim Reed and Project Director John Leppos to get more details on the Commons renovation:

Q: What was the goal of this project?

A: To create a faster flow. The old doors were forcing students to move through single file; this was not efficient. We essentially doubled the size of the doors in this project.

Q: What kind of doors are they?

A: Telescoping doors.

Q: How much did the project cost?

A: A little over $100,000.

Q: Why the renovation? Why were these doors not installed the first time?

A: We recognized that the doors were too small to begin with, but nothing could be done at the time. The technology that we have now was not available in 1999, when the plans for the original doors were being drawn up. One concern was that the doors were able to respond quickly and open fast enough for students to get through without causing congestion. Smaller doors that opened faster had to be installed. Architects causing congestion. Smaller doors that opened faster had to be installed. Architects were also concerned with the symmetry of the building. There were matching doors on the other side of the commons that the architects wanted to keep the same size.

Q: Did this project do anything to “go green” and be easier on the environment?

A: Yes, VCU is constantly making an effort to be more energy efficient. One special feature in the doors is an “air curtain”. It keeps air that is the temperature of the building flowing down and creating a curtain in the “concourse, the walkway between the doors, so that outside air cannot get in. This allows for a lower use of air and heating and cooling costs, so that air doesn’t have to be constantly pumped into the building.

Q: What have you heard students saying about the new doors?

A: When the door project was announced, the SGA cheered. A number of administrators and students say that the doors are great.

If you’ve ever said to yourself ‘What’s up with that?,” we might be able to find the answer. Is there something VCU-related you’d like to know more about? Feel free to e-mail suggestion for our new column, “The Skinny,” to news@commonwealthtimes.com. This new feature is intended to better inform readers about a topic or issue of interest.