The $23.8-million, 89,500-sq-ft student center at Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach was built in the middle of a five-acre stormwater retention pond. Averaging 10 ft deep, the pond is home to endangered species and other wildlife.
Working completely over water, crews staged from multiple barges and boats. A large pumping station was installed so water could be kept at a continuous elevation during foundation and construction work. It took the team a year to install foundations. Because the jobsite was close to academic buildings, the team had to mitigate noise and vibration when driving piles—ceasing operations during exams.