Amherst College
OP-1: Building Design and Construction

The Aliki Perroti and Seth Frank Lyceum

The new building, which blends modern construction materials with classic New England architecture, houses the history department and the Center for Humanistic Inquiry.

The Lyceum’s environmentally sustainable features reflect the College’s Climate Action Plan to decarbonize by 2030 through a zero operational carbon design. During the renovation the construction team removed the existing gas-fired boiler and installed a new building management control and VRF [variable refrigerant flow] system, which will allow the complex to be 100% electrically heated. There is no fossil fuel burning equipment in the building (this includes no emergency generator, we have an inverter). With a clean energy supply, this allows for carbon-free heating. Some of the renewable energy is generated on site (44,000 KWH/ Year of power), with a new array of photovoltaic solar panels added to the flat roof of the new structure.

For both the interior and exterior, the materials palette prioritized those with lower amounts of embodied carbon and products that can store carbon, such as mass timber and other plant-based materials. In this Zero Embodied Carbon construction the wood and cellulose balance out concrete and steel used, this includes transportation of material. When coupled with the efficient mechanical systems, this project showcased how buildings can reduce their impact from construction and throughout their operational life. Indoor air quality, natural ventilation through operable windows, a daylighting strategy, and views to the surrounding environment were additional considerations brought together by the wider design team to improve occupant wellbeing. The building insulation and air tightness standards were based on Passive House principles.