Le Moyne College, Coyne Science Center, Syracuse, N.Y.
by Jonathan McGaha | 28 October 2012 12:00 am
Founded in 1946, Le Moyne College is a Jesuit school in Syracuse, N.Y., that opened its updated Coyne Science Center in 2011. The 8,000-square-foot addition features InSpire, a transpired solar collector that uses solar energy from the sun, from ATAS International Inc. The solar energy is captured by metal wall panels to heat outside air that is used to ventilate the building.
InSpire’s concept is to preheat outside air before it enters the building, lowering energy consumption and decreasing utility bills. Building code requirements for fresh ventilation air are stringent for schools. During the colder seasons of the academic year, the cost to heat the necessary outside air can be enormous. Matthew Broderick, principal of Ashley McGraw Architects’ College and University Studio notes,
“Transpired wall systems are a very economical ways to save energy, in the proper application.”
When embarking on this expansion, college officials wanted the building to reflect the history and values of the Jesuit college. According to Broderick, a core value of the college is sustainability and environmental justice.
In addition to providing sustainability, InSpire was selected because it allowed the building to meet its scientific function. “Because of the significant quantities of ventilation air required in a science facility, a strategy that preheated the air was well suited to the project,” Broderick says
. “The team was very interested in approaches that were highly visible. This related to a general theme of putting ‘science on display,'” Broderick adds. “The perforated metal transpired wall panels are very prominent on the building. Instead of hiding all the ventilation system components, the transpired wall puts the system on display.”
The InSpire system features 4,188 square feet of ATAS’ 0.032-inch aluminum Multi- Purpose Panels in Classic Bronze installed on south-facing and south-west walls. For a cohesive design, there are an additional 2,812 square feet of Multi-Purpose panels installed on other sections of the addition.
The addition attaches to the original Coyne Science building, and the new structure houses the physician assistant program, as well as health services, biology and physics departments, with additional classrooms, laboratories, computer labs and faculty offices.
Designed to achieve LEED Gold, the facility’s sustainable features include a rain garden of wild grasses and other natural plantings to control rainwater run-off, high-efficiency glass, natural daylighting, sun-controlled louvers, recycled materials and rooftop gardens.
Architect: Ashley McGraw Architects, Syracuse
Installer: Edward Schalk & Son Inc., East Syracuse, N.Y.
Distributor: Kamco Supply Corp. of New England, Liverpool, N.Y.
Transpired wall system and metal panels: ATAS International Inc., Allentown, Pa., www.atas.com
Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/projects/le-moyne-college-coyne-science-center-syracuse-ny/