Energy Hub Renovation
Durham, NC
Duke University’s Gross Chemistry Building, located on the University’s West Campus, was abandoned and scheduled for demolition. After reconsidering the value of the existing building, Duke hired Lord, Aeck & Sargent to rehabilitate and revitalize the building’s first floor into a vibrant and engaging space to house the Nicholas School of the Environment’s “Energy Hub". The design program includes academic spaces to accommodate the school’s Energy and Environment instructional needs, as well as a central social “Hub” that fosters informal collaboration between graduate and undergraduate students interested in energy and the environment.
The academic spaces that surround the “Hub” include small classrooms, large and small lecture halls, meeting and conference rooms, and a prototype laboratory. Glass walls highlight the activity within the spaces and bring a sense of academic community by emphasize their visual connection to the “Hub.”
The “Hub” space is defined by a curved ramp with display platforms highlighting student project prototypes. Ample seating with a variety of arrangements encourages a variety of student and faculty interaction. A new “feature” wall wrapped in wood creates a framework for informational display screens.
Important characteristics of the existing building were carefully maintained and highlighted including walls accented with distinctive “Duke” stone, while perforated metal juxtaposed against the new wood wall highlights modern interventions.
Design and construction for the project was completed in 4 months.
