Project name: Harvard University District Energy Facility
Project overview: The new District Energy Facility embodies a state-of-the-art, cost-effective, and sustainable utility generation and distribution system for Harvard University’s expanded Allston campus. 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 source of heating, cooling, and electricity on the campus.
Occupying a previously deserted railyard, the DEF will soon be surrounded by science and engineering related development, nearby conference/hotel, and midrise residences. The building’s more public north and east faces will front on new and future roadways.
The building’s compact cubic form with rounded corners and small footprint maximizes flexibility of future development around it, while maintaining a singular bold and refined presence. Aluminum fins form a wrapper around the building, revealing, or concealing the various equipment areas while celebrating technology on display.
Project location: Allston, Massachusetts
Firm name: Leers Weinzapfel Associates Architects
Completion: 2021
Client: Harvard University
Jury comments: The project is a great example of what a power plant can be. The jury was impressed by the ways in which the building can support the district and greater community’s energy needs. This is an interesting building that captivates you when you drive by and its purpose is celebrated. It acts as a marker in the area, as an infrastructural project, with fascinating points to how we can do architecture without people in it. In the past this would have been hidden but here it celebrates the other elements at play in our world.
MEP/FP/IT: RMF Engineering Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti Landscape Architect: Reed Hilderbrand LLC Civil Engineer: Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Geotechnical Engineer: Haley & Aldrich Air Permitting: Epsilon Associates, Inc. Acoustics: Acentech Lighting: Francis Krahe & Associates Specifications: Steven McHugh Code: Philip Sherman, P.E Cost Estimating: Faithful + Gould Hardware: Campbell-McCabe Waterproofing: Gale Associates
