VCU Retractable Class Room

J. Miller Canvas Inc., Santa Ana, Calif., United States

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) requested a motorized retractable classroom space for teaching and learning that could retract into the ceiling with a flip of a switch to use the space as a large room for socializing and special events.

The complexity was that the conference room walls had to retract inward to avoid a stairwell that could not be relocated. To accomplish this, the lifting cables needed to travel through the frame but also needed to be pulled back away from the seating area via a pulley system hidden inside the framework. Six micro switches were placed so the wall sections would not hit each other if the switches were not switched in order. A panel will not move until the adjacent panel rises up and engages the micro switch, sending power to the next panel.

The result was well received and has been the focus of a video jointly produced by the university and architect illustrating how this retractable room improves the learning environment.