PROJECT
‍Brown Social Science Center | Renovation
Client: Brandeis University
Waltham, Massachusetts

CHALLENGE
Brown Social Science Center’s systems are tied to an existing campus steam loop and had reached the end of their service life. As the University is actively creating their campus-wide approach to reaching carbon neutrality, multiple options for reducing the facility’s EUI were needed to enable stakeholders to select a new approach to building HVAC. Coupled with systems issues, the building envelope – a mid-century exposed concrete frame structure with infill of wood-framed storefront and single pane glazing – contributed significantly to energy loss and a lack of occupant comfort. Proposed envelope and system upgrades needed to respect the building, which is a significant part of Brandeis’ rich texture of buildings designed by The Architects Collaborative.

‍SOLUTION
At the exterior wall, Finegold Alexander designed an approach that replicated the original storefront’s louver system and scale with a new storefront system featuring thermal breaks. The louvers supply fresh air to new unit ventilators at the classrooms yet are integrated with insulated panels to provide for better envelope performance.

CMTA engineers provided analysis and Life Cycle Costing for multiple HVAC system options. The decision was made to keep the Brown Social Science building connected to the campus utility loop, enabling the project to be ready for potential low temperature hot water conversion. FA Energy worked to closely coordinate the new fan coils and unit ventilators with the new storefront – work necessitated by the location of piping trenches for heating and cooling water distribution at the building’s exterior face.

At the building’s interior, new LED lighting is provided – and the majority of the building now has exposed structure. Corridors had older ACT and flooring removed – and not replaced – reducing the amount of installed materials and therefore the facility’s embodied carbon.

SIZE
28,760 SF

SCOPE
Envelope Renewal and Replacement
Feasibility Analysis for Systems and Envelope