Glass Panels Muffle School Noise

New Energy For Historical Structure

Geothermal system, lighting, and windows were key elements in a deep-energy retrofit.

Few projects are more challenging than a major retrofit of an historical building on a busy academic campus. In addition to planning and installing new mechanical and structural systems in a building not originally designed for them, architects and builders must preserve the historical character of an iconic structure, often while the building and adjoining structures remain occupied.

ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge, Cambridge, MA, faced that situation with the design for a complete renovation and energy retrofit of Phillips Hall, a signature building at Phillips Exeter

Academy, Exeter, NH. Their task: “Get the building ready for the next 50 years,” said Philip Laird, AIA,

LEED AP, president of ARC and principal-in-charge.

“We took a holistic approach to upgrading the entire building.”

Phillips Hall, built in 1932, anchors a central quadrangle on the prep school’s campus. Its 44,000 sq. ft. house more than 40 classrooms and a majestic faculty meeting room. Despite the abundance of classroom space, the building fell short in many key areas of modern performance.

“Like many historic academic buildings in New England, there had been no thought to ever air condition it,” Laird said. With limited interior height and no ceiling access, finding space for piping and ductwork was a challenge. And because of the building’s location on a tightly populated quad, there was no room for exterior cooling towers or rooftop equipment.

ARC worked with energy consultants to develop a geothermal system with 49 wells in a closed-loop pump system. Geothermal handles the heating and cooling, avoiding the need for loud and unattractive rooftop air-handling units, while reducing the school’s overall carbon footprint.

“The geothermal system solved a variety of issues, including aesthetics, acoustics, and energy efficiency,” said Peter Reiss, AIA, LEED AP, project manager for ARC. “In order to preserve historic ceilings and millwork, fan-coil units were used in many classrooms and integrated into the existing wood paneling.”

Other energy-conscious upgrades included: • A construction waste-management approach to achieve 75% diversion rate • New R30 roof system • New high-performance replacement windows from Marvin Windows, Warroad, MN, with low-e glass and a 1/2-in. air space filled with argon gas for reflecting heat • Low-emitting, low-VOC-compliant materials for all adhesives, paints, coatings, and flooring • Long-life terrazzo flooring installed in all corridors • Use of salvaged and/or re-used historical materials where possible, including refurbished original millwork, interior doors, hardware, wood flooring, interior wood mouldings, and exterior stone • Use of local slate and granite

STRONG SAFE QUIET & GREEN

A complete renovation and energy retrofi t of Phillips Hall, a signature building at Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH, was needed to get the building ready for the next 50 years.

• Use of materials with pre- and/or post-consumer recycled content • Creation of designated areas for collection of recyclables including paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and metal incorporated into the building design • LED lighting • Occupancy sensors. “Marvin’s custom capabilities helped us to emulate the appearance of the original historic windows while ensuring modern energy efficiency,” Reiss said.

“The large windows included arched tops and circular shapes, and even some casement windows with curved tops,” Reiss said. “We researched a variety of window products, but in the end we felt that the detailing of the Marvin windows was the most durable and well suited to a renovation for a long life cycle.”

Some of the round-top windows went into newly created attic dormers, which turned a dreary, underused space into five cheerful, comfortable new classrooms.

The entire project followed principles of sustainable design and construction developed by a design team and school personnel. A set of guidelines and goals was established based on LEED for Schools as well as the National Institute of Building Sciences’ Guiding Principles for Sustainable New Construction and Major Renovations. Recycled and salvaged material was used extensively, and construction debris was diverted away from landfills whenever possible.

To accommodate upgrades for mechanical systems and building-code improvements, a central core was created between a pair of existing stairways. On each floor, the central core provides new accessible bathrooms, elevator circulation, and a classroom renovated with salvaged materials to emulate the other historically preserved classroom spaces. New roofing, repointed bricks and limestone, and salvaged wrought-iron panels enhance the building’s exterior profile.

Many other changes were geared toward, “undoing some questionable things

You’ll be happy to have us underfoot.

A complete line of underlayments and sound control mats:

• Ideal for multifamily, single family, commercial or renovation projects • Used for fire ratings, floor leveling, and sound control • Contains pre-consumer recycled content • May help contribute points toward

LEED ® project certification