Colonnade façade to echo the traditional architecture that was started by Thomas Jefferson when the college was founded over 200 years ago.  It has a mixture of traditional archetypes with all the modern amenities of a top-of-the-line arena and concert venue.  The exterior is clad in over 600,000 wood-moulded, old Virginia bricks that mimic other buildings on campus.  A custom steel roof trussing systems supports a large dome that is taken from old estates built in the colonial times. 

The electrical service for the John Paul Jones Arena is provided by the University of Virginia physical plant and is located on the northeast side of the site.   Primary service is run underground through a ductbank system where it is connected to 2 exterior pad-mounted switch gear systems, with space for 2 future connections.  The service enters at 12.47KV and is stepped down to 4 transformers on a 480Y/277V system (2000, 2000, 1500, 1500 KVA) and 1 transformer at 4160/2400V (2500 KVA).  All transformers are owned and operated by the University of Virginia.

The main transformers feed distribution panels throughout the building and are located on 3 levels: event, lower concourse and upper concourse.  The standard power branches are either run off 2000A or 3000A feeders.  Additional transformers are located on each floor, within a given quadrant’s electrical room, where the voltage is stepped down to 208Y/120V.

The emergency system is run from a four cycle, diesel fueled, direct injection generator mounted on a steal base with vibration isolation.  The generator is rated at 2000KW and supports a main emergency switchboard.

Throughout the system there are 6 automatic transfer switches, 3 in the central plant and 3 located around the arena.  All the switches are run on the 480Y/277V system and range from 70A to 1200A.  There is one designated for the life safety branch, legally required as a standby system and the final one left as an optional standby system.

The lighting systems for the arena are predominantly a mixture of fluorescent and metal halide fixtures with a few incandescent and halogen fixtures spread throughout the space.  The fluorescent luminaires are combinations of linear strips, downlights, wall sconces, step lights, pendants and recessed fixtures.  These systems are primarily used along the concourse level where pedestrian traffic is prevalent, as well as in the more private spaces of the arena including the locker rooms, training spaces, work areas and meeting spaces.  The metal halide fixtures are a mixture of high bay pendants, recessed downlights, surface mounted downlights and step lights.  They are used around the concourse in coordination with the fluorescent fixtures to aid in pedestrian movement as well as in the main gymnasium for event lighting.  The combination of systems provides higher Illuminance levels through the spaces that have higher ceilings and are generally larger in comparison to the smaller spaces.  The catwalks above the arena floor use a system of quartz-type fixtures.

The exterior lighting systems follow those of the interior by using fluorescent and metal halide fixtures.  The uniformity of systems makes it easy for the occupants to adjust from outside conditions to those of the interior.  It also creates visual unity between the interior and exterior through the large glass curtain wall that makes up the entry corridor.  The metal halide fixtures are pole mounted on the entrance colonnade to give a monolithic appearance and create a strong visual image upon entering the arena.

The mechanical system for the building is a fan-powered constant volume terminal unit with a reheat coil.  The majority of the equipment is located in a central plant on the event level and kept away from the main arena spaces.  There are (3) main AHUs located in the central plant that range from 6000 to 23000 scfm and feed (15) additional AHUs located around the arena.  The additional AHUs are spaced 4 per floor, one per quadrant, and range from 2000 to 85000 scfm.

There are (4) flexible water tube boilers with an entering temperature of 170 deg. F and exiting temperature of 240 deg. F.  The boilers are in line with heat exchangers that are connected to the other equipment systems throughout the building.  The exchangers supply the necessary hot and cold water to the load equipment (AHUs, VAVs and fan coil units) that are needed to run the building system.  They also run on temperature cycle of 160 deg. F entering and 190 deg. F leaving.  The 190 deg. F is the temperature required for the initial reheat temp. of the AHUs.

There are (3) cooling towers that total 10800 GPM and consist of 85 degree condensed water.  The towers are connected to (3) chiller units located in the central plant with a total capacity of 2800 tons and have a flow rate of8400 GPM.  Throughout the building there are also (21) blower coil fan units used for smaller, more specific areas that range from 900 to 2500 cfm.

The majority of the arena is a concrete structure.  It consists of a Raker system that supports the arena seating and major walkways.  This also allows for the precast stair and stair slabs to be easily put into the proper location when construction calls for it.  There is a slab-on-grade below the actual court level that assists in supporting the structure along with spread footings and foundation walls.  All the concrete on the job is rated to be at 4000 psi.  The rest of the arena is supported by a one-way concrete slab system with a typical span being 25’-30’ and a lateral support system consisting of an ordinary concrete moment resistant frame.

The roofing system is completely custom design.  It consists of long-span custom trusses that cover the court and seating area, with the concourse levels being the precast concrete and Raker system.  The truss is made up of W-14 members with varying weights.

The sprinkler and standpipe service main enters the building on the suite level, with the fire department connection being located in the grass area near the southeast corner of the building.  All specific locations of sprinklers follow general layout requirements unless they violate any NFPA 13 or VUSBC codes.  There is also a 6-inch Siamese connection pipe located 5 feet from the structure near the southeast entrance.

Standpipes are to be located in each of the four quadrants on the event level of the building per the drawings.  The system is designed as a manual wet system with the piping sized to provide 500 GPM.  There are 22” drain risers located at each of the standpipe locations.

The protection system for the building is a preaction system.  The water for fire suppression will only enter the system once the heat/smoke detectors are tripped and will only be released into the space when the fuse within the detector is broken.  All suppression densities will use the area/density method and the system shall be sized to provide a 10% pressure margin at the required flow.

There are (4) electric operated, oil-hydraulic elevators throughout the building, (3) being for passengers and (1) being for general service.  The passenger elevators all carry a capacity of 3500 pounds and run on 480V-3 phase-60 cycle at 50 HP.  The service elevator runs on a variable voltage, 2-way leveling system with a carrying capacity of 800 pounds.  There is one elevator located in each quadrant of the building, with the service one being located near the dining room and kitchen area.

There are (7) main staircases throughout the arena located in high traffic areas and near the team locker rooms.  The entrances to the court area are fed by (14) half level staircases for occupants to get to the seating areas. 

The telecom system for the arena comes from (4) underground conduit feeds off of the main university communication system.  They enter the building on the north face and run into the central plant where they are distributed throughout the rest of the arena.  Each quadrant of the arena is serviced by a standard telecom room and one that is run by the university. 

The voice and data networks will run through the entire building and provide services to all the spaces in the arena.  There is also a large audio visual system that is used in the actual arena and court area and integrated through the speakers that are spaced around the concourse levels.  Along with the AV system, there are flat-screen televisions placed around the arena to give visitors information about upcoming events and happenings that are occurring at the arena.