Harvard District Energy Facility Receives WAF Highly Commended 2022
Best Use of Colour Prize

This District Energy Facility embodies a state-of-the-art, sustainable utility generation system for Harvard University’s expanding Allston campus providing reliable heating, cooling, and electricity for the campus. Occupying a former railyard, the DEF will soon be surrounded by science/engineering related development, and midrise residences. Technology is put on display day and evening by lighting the vibrant color-coded equipment and spaces from within. Exterior aluminum fins form a wrapper around the building’s cubic shape, these are gently top lit to maintain the bold form. A large cylindrical exterior tank is also gently lit, with pre-set color options for celebrating community events.

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Woodland Wonders Nature Preschool wins Gold award in the World Architecture News Awards

Woodland Wonders Nature Preschool wins Gold award in the WAN Award in Future Projects – Education.

Nestled within the 120-acre tract of the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, the new preschool facility promotes wonder and exploration of the natural world and cultivates a sense of stewardship toward our community and environment. 

Imagined as an extension of the network of trails throughout the preserve, the preschool is organized along a central “learning trail” spine.  Light-filled classroom spaces alternate with a series of open and covered porches that open out into the natural woodlands beyond. 

 

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Harvard District Energy Facility Finalist for World Architecture News Awards

Harvard District Energy Facility was a Finalist in the 2022 World Architecture News Awards in the Urban Landscape category.

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 its urban design.

 

The DEF’s site, at a pivotal location in the development area south of Western Avenue, makes the facility a highly visible presence from all sides. As a permanent support facility, its building and site design complements future campus evolution, including open space, academic buildings, and research and development spaces.

 

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Harvard District Energy Facility Runner-up in ACD Rethinking The Future Awards 2022

Harvard District Energy Facility awarded Runner-up in the Institutional (Built) Category for the ACD Rethinking the Future Awards, 2022.

 

“Rethinking The Future (RTF) is a Global Platform for Architecture and Design. RTF through more than 100 countries around the world provides an interactive platform of highest standard acknowledging the projects among creative and influential industry professionals.” – RTF

 

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Harvard University District Energy Facility, Winner for the American Architecture Award in Chicago 2022

Winifred Ann Stopps one of our Associate Principal accepted the American Architecture Award in Chicago for Harvard University District Energy Facility. Harvard University District Energy Facility 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 stormwater management. Occupying a previously deserted railyard, the project introduces native vegetation and water management to activate the area’s biodiversity and minimize stormwater runoff.

“The American Architectural Awards® give an important overview of the current aesthetic direction of today’s commercial, corporate, institutional, and residential work in the United States to the real estate, banking, business, and corporate community, as well as to the press and general public.

 The program is one of the Museum’s most important public education outreach initiatives produced throughout the year―to both the Museum’s U.S. and international audience. The American Architecture Awards are dedicated to the recognition of excellence in architecture and urbanism in the United States.”

-The Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture

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Ashley Rao Presents at AIA Philadelphia Committee On The Environment Meeting

Associate Principal Ashley Rao, AIA LEED AP CPHC  presented on Mass Timber in Practice at the AIA Philadelphia COTE meeting.

“Ashley Rao will present case studies from Leers Weinzapfel Associates’ award-winning mass timber projects – the John W. Olver Building at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of Arkansas Stadium Drive Residence Halls. These projects explore innovative uses of wood in building design, focusing on mass timber and cross-laminated timber (CLT), and embody the aesthetic, environmental, and structural strengths of wood as a building material.” – AIA Philadelphia COTE

 

Learn more about John W Olver Design Building here

Learn more about Adohi Hall here