Citadel VTR

Award Criteria

Architectural Excellence

Charleston, SC is known for Rainbow Row and Magnolia Plantation. The campus of The Citadel is also known for its Romanesque style of architecture, and the staff at The Citadel wanted to maintain the look and feel of the iconic architecture on their campus. The goal of the project was to create a dormitory that blended seamlessly on the campus. With a small window of time available, it was apparent that using modular techniques was the only option available. The design of the building takes advantage of a simple, yet elegant double-loaded corridor design. This layout allows for more work to be completed within the factory. One of the most notable site-installed features was the gable roof. Adding a roof of this style immediately transformed the typical boxy feel of a modular building and created a traditional design aesthetic. To accentuate the traditional “Lowcountry” look of the project, we added brick skirting along with a Hardie panel exterior with vertical trim.

Technical Innovation & Sustainability

To provide technical innovation and sustainability, the primary focus of this project was clear communication. VESTA worked with The Citadel to understand their needs and closely followed their specifications. The bid package stated, “The Contractor shall take all necessary precautions for the prevention of environmental pollution as a result of construction operations.” VESTA needed the ensure we protected not just the land and wildlife, we reviewed all selections with the team at The Citadel to ensure the choices we made provided for a safe living space for the future occupants of the barracks. For the truss system used for the site installed roof we made it a point to use a company that primarily uses wood that has Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC)® FSC-C004179 Chain of Custody Certification SCS-COC-001831. To allow the barracks to have comfortable water pressure and not waste water, we were able to find a system that increased water pressure and used less time to heat water.

Cost Effectiveness

The project for the Citadel was a competitive bid. We were able to understand the entire scope and determine the most cost-effective fashion to meet the specifications, create a comfortable space, and reduce costs. Coordination of various trades also allows improved efficiency. One of the primary changes was removing flooring that could not travel down roads. We wanted materials that could be installed at the factory and are easier to accommodate across mate lines. Looking at every item in the system allowed us to provide a competitive bid, remain on budget and meet all the client’s demands. To reduce the amount of time spent on site, we constantly reviewed the schedule. Especially with the COVID pandemic, we had to ensure that only contractors’ schedules were coordinated to improve efficiency and safety. VESTA Modular’s wholistic project approach allowed our team to maintain fiscal effectiveness during difficult times.