Dartmouth Completes New Engineering & Computer Science Center

  • By Matt Jones
  • 06/02/22

Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., recently finished construction on a new academic building for engineering & computer science students. The Class of 1982 Engineering and Computer Science Center (Class of 1982 Center) covers 165,000 square feet, stands four stories (plus a mechanical penthouse and three floors of underground parking), and serves as both the largest construction project in the school’s history and the second-largest academic building on campus, according to a news release.

The new facility includes research and teaching space in fields like bio-tech, energy technologies, cybersecurity and more. “Virtually every device and every piece of hardware have software embedded in them,” said Joseph Helble, former dean of the Thayer School of Engineering. “As a result, bringing computer science and engineering together seamlessly in one facility where students can interact with both faculties without barriers between them is even more important.”

Class of 1982 Engineering and Computer Science Center
Photo credit: HGA and Anton Grassl

Dartmouth partnered with national design firm HGA for the building’s design. The firm incorporated features like glass walls, collaboration spaces and a vast central atrium to give the building a sense of openness and transparency. “At the heart of the Class of 1982 center is an atrium that fosters interaction and collaboration and promotes synergies between fields that spark discovery and innovation,” said HGA Principal Samir Srouji, AIA, LEED AP. “Natural light is brought into the atrium through a series of wooden coffers illuminating the multiple levels of connections and gathering spaces.”

Dartmouth also partnered with contractor Turner Construction Company.

The facility was also designed with sustainability in mind to optimize energy efficiency, water efficiency and occupant well-being. It’s currently registered as LEED v3 for New Construction, and officials are anticipating a LEED Platinum certification.

A full list of collaborators includes:

  • VanZelm Engineers: MEP/FP
  • LeMessurier: Structural
  • Engineering Ventures: Civil
  • Michael Van Valkenburgh: Landscape Architect
  • Mohar Design: Interior Design
  • Cavanaugh Tocci: Audio Visual
  • Acentech: Acoustic/IT/Security
  • Turner Construction Company: Contractor

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • AP Construction Breaks Ground on Two Projects for Austin ISD

    Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP) recently announced that it has broken ground on two renovation projects for the Austin Independent School District, according to a news release. The work at McCallum and Anderson High Schools totals 97,350 square feet and is scheduled for completion in January 2027.

  • Tufts University Breaks Ground on Two New Residence Halls

    Tufts University in Medford, Mass., recently broke ground on two new residence halls with a total capacity of 664 beds, according to local news. The project’s ultimate goal is to expand on-campus housing and reduce pressure on the local housing market.

  • Los Angeles City College Breaks Ground on New Administration, Workforce Building

    Los Angeles City College (LACC) in Los Angeles, Calif., recently broke ground on a new $72-million administrative facility, according to a news release. The Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building will stand four stories, cover 67,230 square feet, and play home to a wide variety of the school’s educational and administrative services.

  • New Kent State Academic Building Earns LEED Silver Certification

    Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, recently announced that its newest academic building, Crawford Hall, has earned a LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a news release. The facility was recognized for its innovative design, water conservation technologies, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable construction materials, among other features.