Plans Under Way for ‘Iconic,’ 70,000-square-foot Nicholas School Facility
Design has begun on a new, 70,000-square-foot office and classroom building for Duke University’s Nicholas School.
The six-story structure “will unite the elements of Duke’s world-renowned environmental program on the Durham campus into one central location, while also making a bold statement about Duke’s commitment to sustainable design and innovation,” says Dean William L. Chameides.
The new building will be located adjacent to the ’A’ wing of the Levine Science Research Center (LSRC), the current home of the Nicholas School’s administrative offices and its Environmental Sciences and Policy division.
Plans call for the free-standing, glass-and-concrete structure to meet the highest standards of sustainability and energy efficiency.
“This is going to be an iconic building, one that pushes the envelope in sustainable development,” Chameides says. “We intend to not only meet but, through innovation, exceed the criteria for LEED Platinum certification.”
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Earning Platinum certification signifies that a building has achieved the highest standards for energy and environmental efficiency adopted by the U.S. Green Building Council. The new Nicholas School building would be the first office and classroom building at Duke to achieve LEED Platinum certification. Only one other building at Duke, the 6,000-square-foot, 10-person Smart Home dormitory, is currently certified Platinum.
“Achieving Platinum certification at a 70,000-square-foot scale is a challenge worthy of Duke University, and residing in a LEED Platinum building is eminently appropriate for the Nicholas School of the Environment,” Chameides says.
Architects hope to complete the design phase this year.
University officials and Nicholas School faculty members are working with the architects to evaluate how best to incorporate a host of cutting-edge green technologies into the building.
“Among other things, we’re investigating cost-effective ways to employ technologies like a green roof, a solar panel hot water system, geothermal heating for a portion of the building, rainwater recycling to provide water for toilets, and photovoltaic cells to generate electricity. We’re also looking into options like south-facing solar passive glass panels; natural lighting; a monitoring system to measure environmental conditions inside and outside the building; and a high-efficiency variable air volume exchange system for better overall heating, cooling and ventilation,” says Bruce Corliss, professor of earth and ocean science. Corliss is serving as faculty coordinator for the building.
The design also may incorporate the use of low-tech options like operable windows to allow faculty, students and staff to enjoy fresh air and natural ventilation during Durham’s typically mild, pleasant springs and autumns, Corliss says. Making this seemingly low-tech goal a reality will require innovative systems to prevent excessive heat loss and gain during the heating and cooling seasons, he notes.
Sustainable landscaping options under consideration include the use of drought-tolerant native plants, permeable paving and a storm water system to reduce runoff.
Green space between the new building and LSRC will provide a community gathering space, and may feature an ecological area for student and faculty research, and a courtyard for outdoor classes. A covered walkway will connect the two buildings.
Chameides has created two committees for faculty, students and staff to provide input to the architects during design of the building. One committee will help evaluate landscaping options; the other will identify ways to encourage and increase community engagement in the building.
“Serving as a resource for Duke faculty and students who are conducting research on sustainability and green building technologies, and as an educational resource for the community at large, is central to the new building’s function,” Chameides says.
One option now being considered, Corliss says, is to install educational signage around the building and courtyard to explain what the green technologies are, and why they are important. Hosting public events such as environmental lectures, townhall meetings and art exhibits in the building is another outreach option under consideration, he says.
The five above-ground floors of the building will house administrative offices for the Nicholas School, conference rooms, classrooms, dry labs and some faculty offices, the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, and possibly a café. The school’s library and student lounge may be relocated to the building’s first floor. Mechanical space and lab space will be located in its basement.
Vacated space in LSRC will be converted into labs and offices for faculty and staff members now housed in the Old Chemistry building and the North Building.
“Our goal is to design a world-class sustainable facility that’s innovative, comfortable, cost-effective and flexible enough to accommodate the Nicholas School’s projected growth over the next five to 10 years, and additional uses beyond that,” Chameides says.
Duke has hired Payette, the Boston-based architecture and design firm that designed the LSRC, to design the new building. Arup, an international design, engineering and planning firm with headquarters in London, U.K., has been hired as LEED certification consultants. Both firms have extensive experience designing sustainable buildings for educational and research use.
The Office of the University Architect, which develops and implements the overall strategic design plan for Duke University and Duke University Health System, is managing and overseeing the project, under the supervision of John Pearce, university architect.
