CHALLENGES
This historic building for Radcliffe College dates back to 1806 when this was the sole home for the school. It was essential to the college that the design team keep as much of the historic elements and character as possible. The renovation was extensive with the intent to replace all existing systems with modern advanced lighting and controls that could be LEED certified at a conservative budget.
INSIGHTS
The design team looked to a new technology using a network of wireless controls to avoid running additional control wires through the structure and to provide great flexibility. To take full advantage of the control system the team wanted to integrate fire, mechanical and alarm systems with the lighting network and sensors. Fixtures choices should be “simple and clean” taking into account shallow plenum space and local per-fixture controls. The team used original photos to help insure original detail could be restored and/or reconstructed.
RESULTS
Fay House is the now the oldest LEED Gold certified Building in America. Lighting fixtures included 4” deep linear fluorescent fixtures combined with integral LED recessed downlights and LED par lamp accents. Custom decorative pendants were designed to match the archival images found onsite. The central lighting system uses wireless daylight and occupancy sensors to create and interactive system that can self-modulate to maximize user satisfaction and energy savings. In open shared offices, faculty/staff are given individual wireless controls to dim or brighten lighting overhead. The sensor network is used by the mechanical systems to control set-points and the building alarm system can trigger lighting for end-of-day shutdown or during an emergency. All configuration and reporting can be accessed from a central PC onsite and remotely by university staff. A monitor in the main hallway displays power savings to remind and encourage users to participate in energy savings. The designed lighting power density was 33% below ASHRAE 90.1(2007).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Location: Cambridge, MA
Owner: Radcliffe College as Part
of Harvard University
Client: VSBA Architects
Date Completed: 2012
Sustainable Project -
Awarded LEED Gold
Award Winning Project -
Philadelphia Section IES
Illumination Award of Merit
HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS