Founded in 1896, Clarkson University, in Potsdam, N.Y., has for more than a century espoused practical technology-based education coupled with a spirit of invention. Those qualities came to the fore in the design and construction of a new student center.
In 2006, students voted to increase their fees to help pay for a new student union that would achieve two main goals: first, to unite many dispersed student programs in one building; and, second, to link the new center to the other academic buildings on campus.
Four years later, a Building Team led by architect Perkins+Will and contractor Pizzagalli Construction delivered a soaring three-story, 60,000-sf student center that has become the social hub for the university’s 3,000 students. The three floors are connected via a “Forum” that runs through the center of the dramatic glass-brick-sandstone structure, whose arched windows and stylized cupola allude to Old Main, the historic central structure of the university’s original downtown campus across the Raquette River.
Two enclosed bridges provide comfortable access to other academic buildings—a welcome feature, considering that winter temperatures in New York’s North Country can drop to -40°F.
The LEED Silver-targeted facility provides space for multiple activities: the main dining hall, a marché-style servery, a bar/café, multipurpose meeting rooms, a meditation room, lounges, game rooms, a convenience store, student-run radio/TV stations, the student newspaper office, soundproof music rehearsal rooms, and a post office. The Forum seating faces a huge media wall.
The national economic downturn hit just as construction was starting in early 2009. The team provided a list of design options to the university that cut costs 25% below the original budget, which allowed the university to make improvements to existing residence halls on campus.
The building uses locally produced concrete blocks invented by a member of the Clarkson engineering faculty. The blocks use 20% recycled industrial glass. The Building Team also used BIM software (Autodesk Revit) to provide tight coordination and trim construction conflicts.
To link the new student center back to Clarkson’s roots, the university asked for red sandstone to be used. The original buildings in the historic downtown campus were built with sandstone from the local quarry owned by Thomas S. Clarkson, in whose memory Clarkson University was founded. Unfortunately, the original quarry had been mined out, sending the Building Team on a mad search to find a replacement. With luck, they located an individual who had an inventory of sandstone from the original quarry—just enough for the base of the student center and several fireplaces.
Related Stories
Office Buildings | May 15, 2023
Sixteen-story office tower will use 40% less energy than an average NYC office building
This month marks the completion of a new 16-story office tower that is being promoted as New York City’s most sustainable office structure. That boast is backed by an innovative HVAC system that features geothermal wells, dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) units, radiant heating and cooling, and a sophisticated control system to ensure that the elements work optimally together.
Headquarters | May 9, 2023
New Wells Fargo development in Texas will be bank’s first net-positive campus
A new Wells Fargo development in the Dallas metroplex will be the national bank’s first net-positive campus, expected to generate more energy than it uses. The 850,000-sf project on 22 acres will generate power from solar panels and provide electric vehicle charging stations.
University Buildings | May 5, 2023
New health sciences center at St. John’s University will feature geothermal heating, cooling
The recently topped off St. Vincent Health Sciences Center at St. John’s University in New York City will feature impressive green features including geothermal heating and cooling along with an array of rooftop solar panels. The geothermal field consists of 66 wells drilled 499 feet below ground which will help to heat and cool the 70,000 sf structure.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 17, 2023
World's largest multifamily building pursuing ILFI Zero Carbon certification under construction in Washington, D.C.
The Douglass, in Washington, D.C.’s Ward 8, is currently the largest multifamily housing project to pursue Zero Carbon Certification from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI).
Energy Efficiency | Apr 7, 2023
Department of Energy makes $1 billion available for states, local governments to upgrade building codes
The U.S. Department of Energy is offering funding to help state and local governments upgrade their building codes to boost energy efficiency. The funding will support improved building codes that reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency, according to DOE.
Cladding and Facade Systems | Apr 5, 2023
Façade innovation: University of Stuttgart tests a ‘saturated building skin’ for lessening heat islands
HydroSKIN is a façade made with textiles that stores rainwater and uses it later to cool hot building exteriors. The façade innovation consists of an external, multilayered 3D textile that acts as a water collector and evaporator.
Government Buildings | Mar 24, 2023
19 federal buildings named GSA Design Awards winners
After a six-year hiatus, the U.S. General Services Administration late last year resumed its esteemed GSA Design Awards program. In all, 19 federal building projects nationwide were honored with 2022 GSA Design Awards, eight with Honor Awards and 11 with Citations.
Geothermal Technology | Mar 22, 2023
Lendlease secures grants for New York’s largest geothermal residential building
Lendlease and joint venture partner Aware Super, one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, have acquired $4 million in support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to build a geoexchange system at 1 Java Street in Brooklyn. Once completed, the all-electric property will be the largest residential project in New York State to use a geothermal heat exchange system.
Green Renovation | Mar 5, 2023
Dept. of Energy offers $22 million for energy efficiency and building electrification upgrades
The Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP) sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy is offering more than $22 million in cash prizes and technical assistance to teams across America. Prize recipients will be selected based on their ideas to accelerate widespread, equitable energy efficiency and building electrification upgrades.
Affordable Housing | Feb 22, 2023
Passive House, sustainability standards meet multifamily development
These multifamily developments are not only Passive House (PHIUS) certified, but affordable for tenants.