Perspectives December 6, 2024

Reviving Innovation on Campus

By Paul Harney, Tom Butcavage, and Jeffrey Zynda

Cornell University Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Upson Hall, a collaborative project with LTL Architects.

Institutions today are faced with a large group of “Sputnik-era” academic STEM buildings that are in urgent need of renovation. Most were constructed during the 1950-60s when the U.S. government invested heavily in elevating our domestic knowledge and training in STEM fields. Many of these buildings are still structurally sound, so colleges and universities are now looking to update their existing assets instead of building new ones.

Cornell University Upson Hall, Before Renovation

The vintage post-World War II-era engineering building has now been fully renovated into a state-of-the art research and teaching facility.

University of Virginia Gilmer Hall, After Renovation

Once shrouded by concrete-block screen walls, Gilmer Hall has become transparent and luminous, placing its scientific mission on display with warm, inviting, and generously daylit spaces for study and collaboration.

University of Virginia Gilmer Hall, Before Renovation

The outdated science building has been clad with a new energy-efficient skin, filling the inside with daylight.

University of Virginia Chemistry Hall After Renovation

University of Virginia Chemistry Building, After Renovation

The renovation of the 1968 “workhorse” Chemistry Building embraces the original logic of the design, while aligning the capabilities of the building with 21st century needs.

University of Virginia Chemistry Hall Before Renovation

University of Virginia Chemistry Building, Before Renovation

The space is now a lively commons with improved lighting that celebrates the exposed concrete coffers of the original structural framing. The north wall has been opened up to a new connecting stair hall.

Our approach to renovations highlights the best historical aspects of an existing building while introducing critical upgrades for modern functionality, resulting in one cohesive environment. We know how to preserve beloved features and not touch what is still working well. We also know how to integrate old and new, preserving features that still function well or are beloved legacies of the original building.

Ohio State University Mars G. Fontana Laboratories Atrium

In The Ohio State University Mars G. Fontana Laboratories building, renovated research laboratories are open to the new four-story atrium, putting science on display.

Our approach to renovating academic STEM building follows a six-step process.

While every project presents unique challenges, we know that the most sustainable building is the one that already exists, and that strategic, phased interventions can save both time and cost on delivery.

1. Assess conditions

It is critical to understand real upgrade capital costs, both immediate, deferred, or operational. By thoroughly exploring the asset, we can catalog the existing structure and systems and mitigate unforeseen conditions.

2. Find hidden potential

Stripping back and re-evaluating the space can create new circulation patterns and spatial relationships. We modernize functionality, increase flexibility, and put science on display by opening formerly closed off environments to create transparency.

The renovation of the University of Massachusetts Lowell Francis College of Engineering's Perry Hall addressed ongoing deferred maintenance while improving laboratories and allowing for better utilization for future programs.

The existing four-story, 46,000 square-foot building received a full core and shell upgrade, providing new primary building systems, envelope upgrades, renovated building support and circulation spaces, and an 8,000 square-foot expansion. A complete interior renovation supports new, flexible engineering research and teaching labs for a variety of programs.

Ohio State University Mars G. Fontana Labs Stair

The transformation strategy for the University of Virginia's Gilmer Hall involved removing portions of structural concrete bays and inserting double-height collaborative atria spaces that would connect floors (and disciplines) that were previously isolated.

The new design fosters a collaborative culture for interdisciplinary research, enhancing opportunities that the original building could not provide.

A multi-purpose conference space, which serves the administration wing, has full visibility to the campus below.

3. Prioritize scope items

We identify the range of potential individual alterations and improvements in the building and develop a cost estimate for each. The resulting “menu” of scope items and their costs can then be measured against the owner’s, goals, priorities and budget, to determine the final scope of the overall project.

4. Enhance performance

Renovations don’t have to be a compromise, the resulting spaces can be just as effective as a new build. We leverage our expertise to create efficient and effective research and teaching spaces through bespoke planning and design approaches.

5. Leverage sustainability

The most sustainable building is the one you don’t need to build in the first place. Even in projects where circumstances might not allow envelope replacement, new high-performance MEP systems and careful choices in materials and finishes can enhance the sustainable fundamentals of renovation.

6. Phase the delivery

Most renovations involve buildings that must remain at least partially operational at an any given time, therefore requiring a phased approach to implementation. We work with you to figure out how the phases will be implemented over time while prioritizing safety, functionality, and budget.

Barnard College's Roy and Diana Vagelos Science Center (formerly Altschul Hall) will house advanced research and teaching labs, communal spaces, and all-electric systems, making it the first zero operational carbon-ready academic science building in New York City.

Interventions include a high-performance glazing, bio-climatic space and green roofs, optimized HVAC systems, and an activated streetscape and landscape at the campus level. The reuse of the concrete structure and limestone façade reduces the overall embodied carbon of the project by 52%.

A 14-story northside addition, coupled with renovations to the existing building, doubles the available space and unites all science-based departments under one roof.

At Columbia University, our Comprehensive Assessment and Strategic Long Term Plan for the College of Arts & Sciences enables the transformation of outdated, single-discipline laboratories into multi and trans-disciplinary research spaces, optimizing facilities across campus.

It all begins with strategic planning.

Knowing where to start is the first step. After an initial building survey and infrastructure assessment, our comprehensive studies can model various scenarios to address a broad spectrum of research and education activities anticipated on a long-term horizon. For institutions with a large number of potential projects, a STEM facilities master plan can provide peace of mind and manageable, incremental progress towards desired outcomes.

Columbia Master Plan Infrastructure Analysis

It is estimated that Columbia University will increase potential for research accommodation on the Morningside Campus by approximately 18-22% through program optimization as part of this planning effort.

Space type modules created for Columbia University's Arts & Sciences Strategic Science Plan.

Reviving Innovation on Campus

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