Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems Headquarters Building
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The Syracuse Center of Excellence (CoE) in Environmental and Energy Systems engages collaborators from over 200 institutions to address worldwide challenges in clean and renewable energy, indoor environmental quality (IEQ), and water resources. CoE members conduct targeted research, exhibit new technologies, commercialize innovations and provide education.
This new research facility and headquarters building achieved LEED Platinum certification and serves to seed a major urban revitalization effort taking place in a severely contaminated brownfield quarter of Syracuse, NY, on a site that was previously uninhabitable, and it showcases new technologies developed by CoE partners. Major research covers such topical issues as promoting bio fuels, assessing long-term urban air quality and air flow in Syracuse via a new 150-foot Urban Ecosystem Observatory tower, and analyzing how outside air conditions affect indoor air quality and human performance.
The Syracuse CoE was designed to serve as a demonstration of global environmental solutions, and to this end intensive sustainability consulting services were employed. Critical services provided by 7group included serving as the project’s LEED consultant, facilitating LEED and design charrettes, providing critical review of technical analysis reports, and serving as peer reviewer for the technical modelers performing energy, thermal envelope, and daylighting analyses. Sustainable features include extensive vegetated roof areas designed for future installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels, building-scale wind turbines, and rooftop HVAC units; a 20 kW PV array; copious daylighting for laboratories and offices; underfloor air distribution; the use of computational fluid dynamics to assist building envelope design; ceiling-mounted radiant panels efficiently heat the building; and other measures reduce annual energy consumption by over 40%.
For improved thermal comfort, ventilation was provided close to occupants using a raised floor system, which allows for even air distribution with lower fan speeds. Ventilation below the foundation prevents underground vapors from entering the building, eliminating a potential source of indoor air contaminants.
As part of a major urban revitalization effort, the project is located in a devastated quarter of the city on a severely contaminated brownfield that had previously rendered this district largely uninhabitable. The project made commitments to deep community engagement, including the generation of a public transportation hub where no such infrastructure existed previously.
The relatively narrow facility incorporates extensive high performance south-facing windows with integrated electronically controlled blinds that provide solar heat and glare control (capable of operation at 15-degree increments) provide ample natural light, extensive views, and natural ventilation. Ceramic white dots on the windows passively reduce glare and solar heat gain.
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Location
Syracuse, NY, USA
Project Owner
Syracuse University
Architect
Toshiko Mori Architect with
Ashley McGraw Architects, P.C.
Building Size
71,000 sf
Completed
October 2009
Cost
$41,000,000
LEED® Status
LEED Platinum (NCv2.2)
Certified
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