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 for Harvard University’s Allston campus. Resiliency, flexibility, innovation are key design goals for the transition to a fossil-fuel-free future, withstand climate impacts, and provide a reliable source of heating, cooling, and electricity to the campus.
Project location: Allston, Massachusetts
Firm name: Leers Weinzapfel Associates
Project type: Utility generation and distribution system
Project information: New construction
Jury comments: This project is elegantly simple—or, an elegant reduction of a complex system into something somewhat understandable. Architects don’t always get to choose a program. We were excited about this infrastructure project with its compelling, jewel-like expression of the interior function on the exterior. Expertly executed from concept to detail, with a clarity apparent through elimination of any unnecessary elements. This is an exemplary presentation with clear case-study diagrams and design solution.
