Designing for utility transformation

Supporting Duke University's commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2024, Chilled Water Plant #2 is a critical component in transforming the campus utility network. This 25,000-square-foot expansion of the original plant facilitates increased capacity from 17,200 tons to 40,000 tons of chiller equipment, supporting a significant escalation in cooling capacity and system redundancy. Part of an interconnected network of underground piping, the plant supports efficient cooling and dehumidification of buildings across campus.

Due to the visibility of its prominent location – sitting on a hillside looking down onto the research campus – the design is sensitive to the university's aesthetic. A gently curving roof scales down the structure's height, blending it back into the landscape. Curtain wall glazing admits a generous amount of natural light and highlights the chilled water equipment and operation spaces. Visitors to the facility are greeted by a soaring glass entrance lobby with an open staircase and a polished concrete masonry elevator tower.

The plant contributes to the centralization of chilled water on campus, which is approximately 30 percent more efficient than a decentralized system. Innovative reclaim methods were implemented to conserve potable water use. This includes harvesting rainwater from the roof and recovery of coil condensate from equipment, which is transported to the cooling tower basins where it is evaporated to remove heat from the system of pipes. Sustainable landscaping consists entirely of native vegetation eliminating the need for irrigation. Certified LEED Gold, the facility is a model of sustainability in an industrial application.

Flad Architects (site master planning, programming, and architectural design)
Affiliated Engineers, Inc. (engineer of record)