We are pleased to announce the Tufts University Science and Engineering Complex has earned LEED® Gold Certification as established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) verified the certification. LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
The new Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) is the product of a strategic infill addition that creates space for interdisciplinary research in biology, environmental science and neuroscience while connecting two historic buildings to create a dynamic, community focused, high tech hub for open communication and cross-pollination.
Rather than relocate or demolish one of the significant historic buildings on the site as the client’s initial project brief had proposed, the design team arrived at a solution for a smaller new addition that leverages and strengthens the existing buildings through adaptive reuse, creating an integrated complex. From the onset of the project, the client had ambitious goals for a high performance building, setting aggressive performance targets for the team. The project’s sustainable solutions are integral to its architectural solution, thoughtfully demonstrating the interdependence between sustainability and scientific research.
The SEC employs ambitious low energy strategies across all building systems by establishing an aggressive total energy use intensity (EUI) target of under 100 kBTU/SF/YR (excluding the vivarium) representing a 77% reduction in energy over a typical laboratory building.
Tempered Glass Membrane separates low energy zone from high energy mechanically heated and cooled zone
Indoor temperatures are managed by a hydronic-based HVAC system coupled with a Konvekta heat recovery system which is significantly more efficient than a traditional all air system. Offices can be naturally ventilated when outdoor conditions permit, assisted by otherwise dormant atrium smoke evacuation fans. This approach has mechanical systems performing double-duty thereby reducing redundancy. Return air from offices and non-lab spaces is cascaded through the atrium and sent back to the penthouse to pre-heat laboratory make-up, significantly reducing the need to temper laboratory supply air. An Aircuity system monitors laboratory air quality and allows the SEC to operate at lower overall ventilation rates, allowing them to be reduced by 33%. On the electrical side, a low ambient, high task approach to lighting is coupled with occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting and extensive use of LED fixtures which significantly reduced total watts/SF by 40%. A high performance envelope minimizes the loads and allowed for the elimination of perimeter heating.
Sustainability Strategies:
reduction in water for landscape irrigation
reduction in lighting power density
of the building is daylit
of building occupants have individual lighting controls
of the workstations have operable windows
Related:
Water Strategies: Tufts University SEC
Celebrating the SEC at Tufts University
Energy Savings: Tufts University SEC
We are honored to share PAYETTE has received two 2026 Green Good Design Awards from The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies—Land’s Sake Farm and The Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard.
“Green GOOD DESIGN identifies and emphasizes the world’s most important examples of sustainable design and works to develop a public awareness program that informs the general public about which global companies are doing the best job in ecological and sustainable design for our world. Architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning projects, as well as product, packaging, and graphic design projects from over 30 nations were honored with the 2026 Green GOOD DESIGN Award.”
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