Page 35 - ArchDC Spring_2017

ArchDC Spring 2017.qxp_Spring 2017 2/22/17 2:47 PM Page 33

Laboratory space. Photo by Jeffrey Totaro

The middle zone of the new wing contains offices with glass to remove walls, widen doorways, create skylights, and insert
walls and doors that pull light far into the depths of the building. wide bands of windows similar to those along the front of the new
This configuration is intended to save on electricity and raise the wing. Then they painted everything bright, reflective white. Now,
spirits of scientists within. Not all scientists were initially happy this old wing houses a variety of airy offices, smaller conference
with this see-through arrangement, however. Some, accustomed to rooms, and the lunchroom.
working in small, enclosed labs and offices, were uncomfortable Outdoors, results of the intensive design teamwork among
being in “fish tanks.” To help ease the transition into a new way of architects, landscape architects, and engineers are on full display.
working together, early posted signs read, “Please don’t tap on the Guests arriving by car at the circular entrance patio are greeted
glass: Scientists in their natural habitat.” Benefits of the collective near the front door by a silver, corrugated-metal silo—echoing the
collaborative-support aspects of the building continue to emerge: farm theme—housing rainwater for direct irrigation. Along the sloping
Today, some of SERC’s new reports may list as many as 10 ground in front of the new wing lie four water-retention pools
contributors, including researchers from all over the world. (actually ecosystems that attract birds, insects, and croaking frogs)
The back slice of the new, two-story wing is a trapezoidal in which experiments are being conducted to test the effectiveness
(almost triangular) atrium that also serves as a link to the old wing. of various plants, grasses, and pool depths to filter water. Each
It is flooded with light from north-facing clerestory windows, framing succeeding pool is deeper than the previous one. During heavy rains,
a moving panorama of sky and clouds. On the ground floor, bistro water overflows from one pool to the next in a riot of mini-waterfalls.
tables and chairs encourage break-time interactions and impromptu Beneath the pools, 250 geothermal wells, each 430 feet deep, reduce
meetings. A rectangular pool with gurgling fountains and green- potential energy requirements for heating and air conditioning by 43%.
filled planters give the atrium a cozy, outdoor feel, even in the dead Across the field and up the hill is a 300,000-gallon cistern
of winter. The planters and paneling are made from renewable, holding “grey water” (which looks crystal-clear). Wastewater from
drought-tolerant sorghum, once found primarily in U.S. livestock toilets (yes, toilets), sink drains, and scientific filtration systems is
feed-bins (and on Midwestern breakfast tables as a molasses purified in the freestanding water treatment plant on the site, and
substitute). At both ends of the atrium, conference rooms with stored in the cistern for three uses: toilet (re)flushings, sprinkler-
glass walls and doors carry light, but not sound, into meetings, system pipe maintenance, and irrigation. This recycling reduces
and reinforce face-recognition familiarity. potential overall water consumption by 77%. Finally, photovoltaic
Renovations to the old wing serve primarily to bring in daylight, panels for solar-electricity production have been installed on the
upgrade mechanical features, and add a sprinkler system. roof and on a permanent shade structure built over the parking lot.
Accordingly, the architects sawed through the old concrete blocks These conservation steps helped to earn the facility LEED

COLLABORATION ON THE CHESAPEAKE 33