Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center

Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center | Culpeper, Virginia

In Culpeper, VA, DPR completed this unique, “once-in-a-lifetime” project to transform a former underground Federal Reserve cash storage and computer operations facility, originally born from the Cold War, into the National Audio Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC).

A Project Like

No Other

The project included a major two-phase renovation and addition to house a motion picture, broadcasting and recorded sound facility in four parts:

  • The complete interior demolition and renovation of the existing 135,000-sq.-ft., three-story building to store all media except nitrate
  • A Central Plant Building, consisting of a new building constructed at grade behind the Collections Building
  • A Conservation Building, which included construction of a 185,000-sq.-ft. building and comprised of public space, office, audio-visual and electronic labs, photographic wet labs and shipping/receiving facilities
  • Nitrate Film Storage Vaults, which are in two connected buildings each with 60 individual four-hour rated film vaults, together with associated equipment building and equipment mezzanine, totaling about 47,000 sq. ft.
The Roof

Goes Green

Spanning nearly five and a half acres, the building's green roof helps filter pollutants and CO2 out of the air and reduces the heating and cooling loads on the structure. It is one of the largest of its kind on the East Coast.

Vault storage area inside the building.
Aerial of the building showing the green roof.
Evening view of the building with lights reflecting from a courtyard lake.
Auditorium inside the facility with rows of red seats and chandeliers.
Interior hallway and stair with a blade of daylight shining through.
Vault storage area inside the building.
Aerial of the building showing the green roof.
Evening view of the building with lights reflecting from a courtyard lake.
Auditorium inside the facility with rows of red seats and chandeliers.
Interior hallway and stair with a blade of daylight shining through.
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