The new academic interdisciplinary research facility was dedicated on May 13, 2022
Boston, MA (May 18, 2022) – National interdisciplinary design firm HGA is pleased to announce the completion of the Class of 1982 Engineering and Computer Science Center (Class of 1982 Center) at the West End of Dartmouth College.
This new 165,000 GSF academic interdisciplinary research facility fulfills an acute space demand for cutting edge engineering and computer science research at Dartmouth College. Program includes research and teaching in biotech, energy technologies, cyber-security, and other areas of research that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and problem solving in critical fields.
The largest construction project in Dartmouth’s history and second-largest academic building on campus, the building consists of four-stories plus an enclosed mechanical penthouse, above three floors of below-grade parking for 337 cars and a central loading dock. The building also connects to the existing Thayer Engineering complex on multiple levels, doubling its size to accommodate an increased faculty count.
“Virtually every device and every piece of hardware have software embedded in them,” said Joseph Helble, Former Dean, Thayer School of Engineering. “As a result, bringing computer science and engineering together seamlessly in one facility where students can interact with both faculties without barriers between them is even more important.”
Glass walls and an array of collaboration spaces throughout a central atrium allow building users and visitors to view the work happening within the surrounding lab spaces. “At the heart of the Class of 1982 Center is an atrium that fosters interaction and collaboration and promotes synergies between fields that spark discovery and innovation,” said HGA Principal Samir Srouji, AIA, LEED AP. He continued, “Natural light is brought into the atrium through a series of wooden coffers illuminating the multiple levels of connections and gathering spaces”.
The Class of 1982 Center improved the West End of campus by removing a through street, relocating parking spaces below grade, and making the area more pedestrian-friendly. The spaces around and between buildings are geared to pedestrian movement and amplify the unified feel of the campus. The new building’s outdoor entry and seating areas at the north and south ends strengthen its spatial attributes.
HGA’s design approach included close collaboration with campus leadership, faculty, donors, the Board of Trustees, and staff. This process allowed the team to build consensus on a design that respects the campus’ traditional context while projecting a contemporary image that transformed the West End of the campus into a vibrant home for student and faculty engagement and collaboration.
The design takes a holistic approach to sustainability and emphasizes occupant wellbeing, energy, and water efficiency. The predicted building energy use will be EUI75, which is 55 percent less than baseline and 79 percent less than the American Institute of Architect’s (AIA) 2030 benchmark. The building is registered LEED v3 for New Construction and anticipates LEED Platinum certification.
HGA applauds its collaborators on the Class of 1982 Center:
- VanZelm: MEP/FP and Sustainability
- AHA Engineers: Sustainability/LEED Certification
- LeMessurier: Structural
- Engineering Ventures: Civil
- Michael Van Valkenburgh: Landscape Architect
- Mohar Design: Interior Design
- Cavanaugh Tocci: Audio Visual
- Acentech: Acoustic/IT/Security
- Turner Construction Company: Construction Manager
About Dartmouth
Located in Hanover, New Hampshire, Dartmouth founded one of the first engineering schools in the country. They offer an engineering science education with a hands-on systems-based approach unencumbered by departmental divisions. Research is application-focused, and entrepreneurship is encouraged.
About HGA
HGA is a national interdisciplinary design firm committed to making a positive, lasting impact for our clients and communities through research-based, holistic solutions. We believe that great design requires a sense of curiosity—forming deep insight into our clients, their contexts, and the human condition. We are a collective of over 900 architects, engineers, interior designers, planners, researchers, and strategists. Our practice spans multiple markets, including corporate, cultural, education, local and federal government, healthcare, and science and technology. Visit HGA.com or follow on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.