Press Releases

Greenbridge Breaks Ground
(10.08.07)

Habitat To Spend €59.5 Million on Ecourban Offices in Barcelona
(7.12.05)

Frito-Lay Distribution Center a Prototype for Environmentally Intelligent Design
(6.23.05)

Guangtang Chuangye Park Will Please the People of Liuzhou
(5.26.05)

McDonough To Headline 2005 FORTUNE Global Forum
(5.9.05)

Nation's Top Environmental Design Award Presented to William McDonough
(10.20.04)

Two DC Chapter/AIA Awards for Aspect
(10.14.03)

Woods Hole Research Center
(07.07.03)

Atlanta International Museum Exhibit
(08.14.02)

DC Chapter/AIA Award for Nike EHQ
(11.10.01)

Adoption of the CERES Principles
(06.07.01)

William McDonough + Partners Creates a Home for Woods Hole Research Center in Harmony with its Goals

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (July 7, 2003) – In 1998 the Woods Hole Research Center selected William McDonough + Partners to lead the design for its new location in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The design would involve the conversion of a 19th century summer home and the creation of an addition appropriate to the Center’s work and setting.

As a research organization dedicated to studying the effects of human activities on the environment, the Center wanted to demonstrate how modern building construction can “harmonize with a habitable earth.” WM+P shared the Center’s vision of creative solutions that allow human activity to positively affect the earth. As architect for both the design and construction of the new campus, William McDonough + Partners shaped the Center’s vision for the future into a high-performance building that embodies exceptional environmental intelligence.

Since the project’s conception, its core values of environmental awareness and energy efficiency have made in-roads toward the architectural mainstream with the growth of groups like the U.S. Green Building Council. WM+P’s practice remains unique in that sustainable design guides each of the firm’s projects. The firm views architecture as part of sustainability, not vice versa, so principles of economy, ecology, and equity provide the basis for all design decisions.

Working with the Woods Hole Research Center, WM+P sought to go beyond conventional goals of efficiency and their focus on reduction, minimization, and mitigation. Instead of simply “doing more with less,” the design team pursued an approach that integrated the new campus within its surroundings as effectively and beautifully as a tree takes part in the forest. The resulting building offers a delightful workplace that is home to research and education on global environmental issues.

WM+P and the Center developed design principles and goals in the pre-design phase, drawing upon the additional expertise of consultants from a broad range of disciplines. These principles and goals provided direction from the initial concept design through construction.

The Center’s new home optimizes the use of natural lighting for both energy efficiency and aesthetics; uses highly energy-efficient building systems, fixtures, and equipment; and utilizes renewable geothermal energy to assist in heating and cooling the building. Like the forests the Center studies, this thoughtful, integrated system draws its power from energy gathered from the sun and wind. Extensive research into renewable energy systems led to the design of a 26-kilowatt photovoltaic array, and studies determined the feasibility of a wind turbine.

Throughout each phase of design and construction, WM+P sought to create and maintain connectivity between the restoration of the existing house and the new wing, as well as create the optimal assimilation of the new wing to the very challenging topography of the site.

By using an innovative, comprehensive approach to sustainable strategies, converting a summer home into a cutting-edge scientific headquarters, a net-energy producer, and a delightful work environment, WM+P has demonstrated the creative capabilities of environmentally intelligent design.

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To receive additional information or materials for this project, please contact:

Kira Gould
Director of Communications
media@mcdonough.com
William McDonough + Partners
410 E. Water St.
Charlottesville, VA 22902
vox 434.979.1111
fax 434.979.1112