Last week, our Big Science group toured the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Cell Manipulation Core Facility, a renovation of former vivarium spaces originally built in 1994. In this facility, drugs will be produced specific to individual patients using stem cell (SCT) and novel drug (NME) methods in the largest facility of its kind at 30,000 SF, scheduled to finish in June 2018. Payette’s Michael Hinchcliffe and Jimmy Baer led the group through the 10th floor and penthouse spaces, highlighting the bespoke design solutions for the research labs and associated building systems.
Double-skin curtain wall system
To upgrade the existing leaky curtainwall construction to ISO-7 and ISO-8 clean room standards, a double-wall perimeter construction was developed with Payette Building Scientist Chris Mackey to minimize particle infiltration and humidity. Within the labs, flush glazing, radiused inside corners and canted sills were used to avoid dust accumulations.
Details to avoid dust accumulation
Beyond meeting the technical requirements, the design emphasizes the concept of ‘thresholds’ through use of color, lighting and environmental graphics throughout the spatial hierarchy. By deftly using access to natural light with generous use of transparency between spaces and maintaining a clean and durable material palette, the Facility presents an admirable balance of technical and elegant solutions for this innovative program.
In the penthouse: new RODI system and 15′ tall construction access barn door
Cape Cod Community College’s Frank and Maureen Wilkens Science and Engineering Center is a net-positive energy building designed to transform the heart of campus.
The project approaches sustainability through a holistic and global approach, implementing a range of moves including passive solar shading overhangs, air-source heat pumps, high performance materials with low embodied carbon and the expansion of the range of thermal comfort and lighting power density. Combined with on-site photovoltaics, the project achieves net-positive energy use.
The project’s thermally modified wood rainscreen façade is a study of the modern expression of vernacular Cape Cod architecture while reducing embodied carbon. Early lifecycle assessments identified the immense carbon savings of wood over fiber cement. The design team did not stop there, furthering reductions by peeling back unnecessary finishes like carpet and ceilings. Together, these decisions enabled a 19% reduction in embodied carbon.
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