Not only is the recently completed Design Building at the University of Massachusetts Amherst the first CLT academic building in the country, it is also the largest installation of wood concrete composites in North America.
The 87,500-sf project unites the university’s architecture, landscape architecture and regional planning, and building and construction technology departments under one roof for the first time.
A skylit central commons is at the core of the building and brings students together for lectures, exhibits, presentations, and informal gatherings. Additional glazing and skylights provide abundant natural light to the building’s interior, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
Studios, maker spaces, and classrooms surround the central space. A green roof sits atop the commons and includes an outdoor learning environment and experimental space for the landscape department.
The building envelope is created from copper-colored, anodized aluminum panels and vertical windows that are meant to resemble the colors and patterns of the region’s forests.
The Design Building cost $52 million to build. Leers Weinzapfel Associates was the architect for the project.
Photo: © Albert Vecerka / Esto
Photo: © Albert Vecerka / Esto
Related Stories
| Dec 2, 2011
Goody Clancy awarded Ohio State residential project
The project, which is focused on developing a vibrant on-campus community of learning for OSU undergraduates.
| Nov 23, 2011
Griffin Electric completes Gwinnett Tech project
Accommodating up to 3,000 students annually beginning this fall, the 78,000-sf, three-story facility consists of thirteen classrooms and twelve high-tech laboratories, in addition to several lecture halls and faculty offices.
| Nov 18, 2011
Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability opens
Designed to exceed LEED Platinum, the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS) is one of the most innovative and high performance buildings in North America today, demonstrating leading-edge green building design products, technologies, and systems.
| Nov 11, 2011
Streamline Design-build with BIM
How construction manager Barton Malow utilized BIM and design-build to deliver a quick turnaround for Georgia Tech’s new practice facility.
| Nov 11, 2011
AIA: Engineered Brick + Masonry for Commercial Buildings
Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.
| Nov 4, 2011
Two Thornton Tomasetti projects win NCSEA’s 2011 Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards
Altra Sede Regione Lombardia and Bank of Oklahoma Center both recognized.
| Oct 17, 2011
Clery Act report reveals community colleges lacking integrated mass notification systems
“Detailed Analysis of U.S. College and University Annual Clery Act Reports” study now available.
| Oct 14, 2011
University of New Mexico Science & Math Learning Center attains LEED for Schools Gold
Van H. Gilbert architects enhances sustainability credentials.
| Oct 12, 2011
Bulley & Andrews celebrates 120 years of construction
The family-owned and operated general contractor attributes this significant milestone to the strong foundation built decades ago on honesty, integrity, and service in construction.
