In this issue of the Stone & Tile Design Insider, a new chiller plant at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University -- commonly referred to as Virginia Tech -- is featured in the Green Design section. To be honest, I wasn't exactly sure what a chiller plant was at the start of writing this article. I soon learned, however, that it is a critical component to providing cool air to various University buildings. And with an anticipated full build-out of 21,000 gross square feet, it is also a very large structure.

This particular plant was built within the Life Sciences District HABB Quad development, as outlined in the University's 2006 campus master plan. The expansion of the academic campus will include future construction of academic buildings, a structured parking deck and ancillary buildings. The plant is a new component to the University's central chilled water system, and it will serve future on-campus facilities.