Leers Weinzapfel Associates Architects
East Regional Chiller Plant
The 23,163-square-foot East Regional Chiller Plant at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio—designed by Boston-based Leers Weinzapfel Associates Architects—will provide cool water to surrounding university buildings. The structure comprises two slipped volumes: a glass-encased rectangle at the ground plane that houses six chillers and a perforated metal screen that extends up from the mezzanine level to serve as a cooling-tower enclosure. “We worked very hard to keep this building small—in footprint and in overall impact,” says principal Jane Weinzapfel, FAIA. The glazing incorporates a translucent frit, and, at night, the interior is lit to give a diffuse glow through the glass and slits in the metal screen. The purpose is to “enhance the pedestrian experience and be able to see something lively both day and evening,” Weinzapfel says. Several materials are currently undergoing testing for the screen, including copper and coated- or anodized-aluminum. Cincinnati-based GBBN Architects is serving as executive architect on the project, and the team is targeting a completion date in 2014.
