UK-based design and engineering company Arup has announced the opening of the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex (ISEC) at Northeastern University in Boston, US.

The 234,000ft² ISEC building will be open to outside researchers in the fields of computer science, basic sciences, health sciences, and engineering.

Architecture firm Payette selected Arup to provide mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering, as well as energy modelling, façade consulting, sustainability and lighting design services for the project.

Arup principal-in-charge Mark Walsh-Cooke said: "The facilities department at Northeastern wanted the most energy-efficient building possible.”

Arup used latest energy modelling software and building information modeling (BIM) in the design process.

"The facilities department at Northeastern wanted the most energy-efficient building possible."

The company engineered major energy conservation measures such as the cascade air system that allows buildings to perform 20% better than required by base code, as required by the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code.

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Performance and lifecycle analysis were also used to optimise the façade design and ensure occupant comfort, as well as energy efficiency.

Arup used active chilled beam technology that reduces the energy consumption compared to conventional air-conditioning and designed a hydronic run-around coil system to recover energy from the lab exhaust air to pre-condition the outdoor air.

In order to optimise the efficiency of the chiller and heating system, a heat-recovery chiller was installed, which simultaneously generates heating hot water and chilled water to reduce the run-time of the boilers for laboratory re-heat in the summer.


Image: Northeastern University Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering Complex. Photo: courtesy of Warren Jagger/PR Newswire Association LLC.