Leers Weinzapfel Associates - District Energy Facility, a demonstration of sustainable practice in building, landscape and storm water management
  1. Home
  2. Award 2022
  3. Production
  4. District Energy Facility, a demonstration of sustainable practice in building, landscape and storm water management

District Energy Facility, a demonstration of sustainable practice in building, landscape and storm water management

Leers Weinzapfel Associates

Production  /  Completed
Leers Weinzapfel Associates

“Cities account for 70% of the world’s energy consumption. Almost 50% of the energy is used for heating or cooling. District energy systems are one of the most effective ways to mitigate climate change…” - District Energy in Cities: Unlocking the Potential of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, United Nations Environmental Programme report (2015) The new 56,000 sf District Energy Facility (DEF) sets the stage for a state-of-the-art, cost effective, and sustainable utility generation and distribution system for Harvard’s Allston campus that also makes a significant contribution to the urban design of the campus. The building’s compact cubic form with rounded corners allows for maximum flexibility of future development around it while maintaining a singular bold and refined presence. A wrapper of anodized aluminum metal fins forms a screen around the facility, with petal-like elements set at varying degrees of openness to reveal or conceal the various equipment areas within. The exterior fins are most open at the structure’s corner entry, and most closed on its service sides. On the public faces of the building, the fins are raised to engage the community through technology on display. On the service side of the building, the fins are raised to allow vehicular access into the building and equipment access through large glass bi-fold doors. The inner façade is composed of insulated metal panels, curtain wall, and louvres; each side uniquely addresses specific equipment requirements and interior layout. Materials were chosen for durability, ease of maintenance, acoustics, and sustainability. A high design priority was workplace safety, security, accessibility, and wellness; abundant natural light is an additional feature of all workspaces. Formerly relegated to the “backyard” of a campus with little visibility, today’s infrastructure plants are more centrally located to serve multiple buildings in a district and therefore face the pressures of relating in scale to nearby structures as well as mitigating noise and air quality. An innovative approach is required to celebrate their energy and robust beauty and to make them good neighbors. The DEF is one of the first new buildings to be completed on the Allston campus, therefore carrying the responsibility of setting a high standard of quality and design as well as of creating a visible demonstration of sustainable practice in building, landscape, and storm water management. Occupying a previously deserted railyard, the project introduces native vegetation and water management to activate the area’s biodiversity and minimize stormwater runoff. Resiliency, flexibility, and innovation are key goals for the design to transition to a fossil-fuel-free future, withstand climate impacts including storm surge flooding, and provide a reliable, resilient source of heating, cooling, and electricity to the Allston campus. The DEF building and site is certified LEED Gold. The site for the District Energy Facility is at a pivotal location in the new development area with a highly visible presence from all sides. It is a permanent support facility and therefore its building and site design complements the future campus evolution, including open space, academic buildings, and research and development space.

Credits

 Boston
 USA
 Harvard University
 01/2021
 5189 mq
 Jane Weinzapfel FAIA, Andrea Leers FAIA
 Irene Kang AIA, Zhanina Boyadzhieva AIA, Bruce Buescher Associate AIA, Langer Y. Hsu Associate AIA, Joshua Liebla Associate AIA
 Robert Mischler, Project Executive ; Bond Brothers ; 10 Cabot Road, Suite 300, Medford 02155, USA ; p. 617.387.3400 ; f. 781.874.0852 ; e. [email protected] ; www.bondbrothers.com
 MEP/FP/IT: RMF Engineering; Structural: Thorton Tomasetti; Landscape: Reed Hilderbrand LLC; Civil: VHB; Geotechnical: Haley & Aldrich; Air Permitting: Epsilon Associates, Inc.; Acoustics: Acentech; Lighting: Francis Krahe & Associates, Inc., Francis Krahe; Specifications: Steven McHugh, Steven McHugh; Code: Philip Sherman, P.E., Philip Sherman; Cost Estimating: Faithful + Gould, Paul Male; Hardware: Campbell-McCabe, Susan McCabe; Waterproofing: Gale, Brian Neely; Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
 Levolux – Anodized aluminum fins; Kingspan – Insulated metal panels; Griven – Exterior white and colored light fixtures; FINELITE – High bay lighting - High Performance 4" Aperture (HP-4) - Indirect/Direct; TARGETTI JEDI – Compact linear fixture – Interior perimeter lighting
 Brad Feinknopf [email protected]; Francis Krahe [email protected]; Bond Brothers [email protected]

Curriculum

Leers Weinzapfel Associates is a practice recognized for its exceptional quality of design for the public realm in urban and campus contexts. The group’s special strength is a “mission impossible” ability to meet extraordinarily difficult building challenges with uncommon design clarity, elegance, and refinement. We are committed to providing meaningful spaces for human interaction and to promoting social well-being. Our work is diverse, including technically demanding infrastructure installations, advanced learning and living environments for educational institutions, to civic buildings and community recreation centers. In 2007, the American Institute of Architects honored us with the Firm Award, the highest distinction the AIA bestows on an architecture practice, the first and only woman-owned firm to be so honored. ARCHITECT Magazine has included the firm on its list of Top 50 architecture firms in the country, for the past five years in a row.

https://www.lwa-architects.com...


© Maggioli SpA • THE PLAN • Via del Pratello 8 • 40122 Bologna, Italy • T +39 051 227634 • P. IVA 02066400405 • ISSN 2499-6602 • E-ISSN 2385-2054