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Ohio State East Regional Chilled Water Plant

OH

Water Resource
Architect

Leers Weinzapfel Associates

Associate Architect

GBBN

Description Show more

On a prominent site between campus and city, this critically important large infrastructure facility fits comfortably among its smaller academic neighbors, preserves an important green space, and frames the gateway for a new campus entry. The large scale of the structure is modulated by its composition of two offset volumes: a lower, glazed rectangular volume with semi-transparent views from the interior looking out, and an upper lifted square volume with perforated metal walls of copper colored, coated aluminum that provides a cost-effective water cooling tower enclosure. The upper screen wall is designed with two perforation densities, and together with narrow open slots achieve the average 50% open area needed for equipment ventilation. The perforated copper-colored aluminum enclosure is a modern companion to the brick used widely throughout the campus. Designed to support the densely packed equipment layout, both the upper and lower volumes respond to unique engineering requirements- the upper screened volume contains the cooling towers, and the lower houses the chillers. To minimize the building mass, a full basement contains pumping equipment. Both volumes are gently illuminated at night to provide site lighting for the surrounding pedestrian zones and to continue the dialogue between the forms and their contrasting materials. The glowing crystalline lower volume is illuminated from the inside, while the glittering metallic volume above is illuminated with a halo of projecting lights at its upper edge. The new chilled water plant will significantly improve overall campus central plant efficiency. The building is targeted for LEED Gold certification.

On a prominent site between campus and city, this critically important large infrastructure facility fits comfortably among its smaller academic neighbors, preserves an important green space, and frames the gateway for a new campus entry. The large scale of the structure is modulated by its composition of two offset volumes: a lower, glazed rectangular volume with semi-transparent views from the interior looking out, and an upper lifted square volume with perforated metal walls of copper colored, coated aluminum that provides a cost-effective water cooling tower enclosure. The upper screen wall is designed with two perforation densities, and together with narrow open slots achieve the average 50% open area needed for equipment ventilation. The perforated copper-colored aluminum enclosure is a modern companion to the brick used widely throughout the campus. Designed to support the densely packed equipment layout, both the upper and lower volumes respond to unique engineering requirements- the upper screened volume contains the cooling towers, and the lower houses the chillers. To minimize the building mass, a full basement contains pumping equipment. Both volumes are gently illuminated at night to provide site lighting for the surrounding pedestrian zones and to continue the dialogue between the forms and their contrasting materials. The glowing crystalline lower volume is illuminated from the inside, while the glittering metallic volume above is illuminated with a halo of projecting lights at its upper edge. The new chilled water plant will significantly improve overall campus central plant efficiency. The building is targeted for LEED Gold certification.

Fred Taylor Dr. Defiance Dr., Columbus, OH, US 43210

Nearby
University of Cincinnati University Pavilion 160.9 miles
Whistle Grove: The National Steamboat Monument 161.6 miles
The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge 163.2 miles
Hope Library 247.4 miles
First Financial Bank - Creekview Branch 260.4 miles
Irwin Union Bank 260.4 miles
Buhl Community Park 261.2 miles
Articulated Cloud 261.3 miles
Cloud Arbor 261.3 miles
#Infrastructure #City Service - Building/Campus #Water Resource #infrastructure #multiuse