Come next fall, Beatty Hall and Ira Allen might prompt returning alumni to do a double take. Two new construction projects broke ground in May: At Beatty, the William H. Flanagan Campus Center, and at Ira Allen, the Center for Sciences and Biomedical Engineering. Representing the first major new construction of academic buildings in nearly 40 years, both projects are expected to be completed in fall 2012. Here’s a quick look at both projects and some of their green features.
The Flanagan Campus Center—named for benefactor William H. Flanagan, MC&TD ’51—will transform the facade of Beatty Hall with a glass-and-steel pavilion addition along the edge of the pedestrian walkway, overlooking the quad. Inside, there is 7,000 square feet of new space which will include a fitness center and a recreation area, as well as a lounge, renovated dining space, and several multipurpose spaces for student clubs and organizations.
Eco-Friendly Features
(Architects: Spagnolo Gisness & Associates, Inc.)
Lighting the Way: In addition to offering more access to natural light to decrease energy usage, new systems will use occupancy sensors that shut off when there’s no one around, and use high-efficiency light fixtures when rooms are in use.
Bike Boost: The new building will feature secure, covered bike storage to encourage two-wheel commuters and the fitness center will have showers available for those who cycle in.
Green Glass: The windows in the Flanagan Campus Center will sport low-E (low-emissivity) glass, whose coating reflects the heat from the summer sun while keeping the heat inside during the winter.
CENTER FOR SCIENCES AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
The Ira Allen building will be home to the Center for Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, which will feature new laboratories for biology, physics, chemistry, material science, and biomedical engineering— a new major that debuts this fall. In addition to new faculty offices and classrooms, areas of the center will be designated for student meetings in an effort to encourage collaborative work within and across academic disciplines.
Eco-Friendly Features
(Architects: Perkins + Will)
Autopilot: An energy management system will monitor utilities, reducing energy and water usage, and an energy recovery loop will reuse any excess heat generated by the building.
Revival Plan: Materials are being reused and repurposed wherever possible, with salvaged brick, furniture fabrics, and steel getting a second life in the new building.
Padding the Walls: With improved insulation of the exterior walls in the existing structure, there will be less need to go heavy on the AC or crank up the thermostat.
—Julie Barr
