Amherst College Science Center
The undergraduate science center for Amherst College is approximately 250,000 ft² spread over four levels. The program includes wet and dry laboratories typically found in an undergraduate program, including physics, computer science, chemistry, biology, psychology, physical chemistry, offices, multipurpose classrooms, informal meeting spaces, a greenhouse space, and a library. The College seeks to push the envelope in high-performance building design, focusing on developing a very low-energy science center. While the project may follow the practices outlined in the USGBC LEED certification program, the project will not be submitted for any form of LEED certification.
The design of this new multi-disciplinary science building at Amherst College is anchored by an expansive west-facing glass “window into science.” Given the harsh winter and summer climatic conditions and experiential design intent of transparency, Integral Group addressed visual comfort challenges while balancing thermal comfort criteria through sophisticated daylight models with optical data from different glazing options.
Our guidance on glazing specifications maximized performance without sacrificing visual or aesthetic experiences. In addition to analysis of the glazing types, we provided simulations and guidance around automated shade protocols to maximize views out while mitigating unwanted direct sun exposure, both into the main three-story west-facing atrium and also the adjacent inboard laboratory spaces.
Integral Group is providing integrated sustainable design services for the new science center project and leading the project team in establishing energy and water targets based on benchmarks for similar building types in the region. Integral Group worked with the architect and the MEP engineer of record to develop and analyze active and passive strategies to lower energy consumption.
