The BLT Built Design Awards: Envelope of The Day (EOTD) Living Lab and Data Center+

Winner in Architectural Design - Sustainable and Energy Saving

Envelope of The Day (EOTD) Living Lab (EBD Research Studio, May 2022)

Climate change requires adaptable buildings with dynamic systems. The Envelope of The Day (EOTD) living lab enhances building adaptability, reduces carbon footprints, and prioritizes human-centric control using reusable or compostable materials. Located within an existing dorm building footprint, it includes organizational changes and new programs. The first two floors house a research lab, dining hall, seminar rooms, and offices, while upper floors feature apartments, lounges, study pods, and terraces. These additions improve the student experience and enable testing of diverse spaces for the living lab. Lounges double as a "material wardrobe" for the building. A dorm mobile app integrates a user interface, providing each occupant with a control panel to manage their envelope based on comfort needs. The panel offers suggestions on envelope operation, material changes, placement, and availability, while collecting user feedback for researchers to evaluate envelope performance and identify improvements.

Data Center+ (Bioclimatic Design Studio, Dec 2022)

Built on an abandoned 1874 Philadelphia railroad, this data center doubles as a community hub, education center, and forest park. Its modular design leverages existing structures and preserves vegetation on the linear site. The project integrates data center functions with community activities, historical context, and bioclimatic architecture. Modules align with wind direction to cool servers in summer, while server heat warms winter gardens for thermal comfort. Circulation design blends new and existing programs, creating a “Data Center Plus Park.” Three unit types address diverse program and site needs. A water curtain and solar chimney-driven natural ventilation cool modules in summer, with server heat reused to warm offices in winter. A brick jali, made from recycled site materials, forms an envelope to manage wind speed and reduce solar heat gain.