The 515,000-square-foot Virginia Beach Convention Center is the first convention center in the U.S. to achieve LEED Gold certification for Existing Buildings. The facility earned LEED points for energy conservation, sustainable purchases, and innovation credits. The building received extra innovation points for developing ergonomics training for staff, an environmental communication program (which includes a compelling environmental awareness presentation on the 360-foot video wall), and an energy management outreach project. Sustainability initiatives include recycling and water and energy efficiency.
The building, designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), incorporates recycled materials from the former facility at the site, including steel, copper, aluminum, concrete, and cinder blocks.
