Columbus, Ohio, USA
New York-based Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects design the new Energy Advancement and Innovation Center (EAIC), an experimental hub for energy, education, research, and technology incubation at The Ohio State University paving the way to a carbon-free future.
The facility will support collaborative research and development for the next generation of smart energy systems, renewable energy, and green mobility.
With an iconic expansive solar canopy and translucent polycarbonate facade, the building will be a beacon of high-performance, energy-efficient design anchoring the new West Campus.
The Innovation Center massing and the West Campus site design are interdependent, driven by solar setbacks ensuring adjacent buildings cast no shadow on the solar canopy.
This design has been awarded a 2021 American Architecture Award from The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The canopy provides afternoon shade to the building’s west-facing facade and to the shared public space below while maximizing solar energy collection.
With a publicly accessible first floor, the EAIC will serve as a hub providing meetings, food service, and shared community space for the new West Campus.
Setting aggressive performance targets and showcasing a first-of-its-kind building scale DC-microgrid that enables the Innovation Center to act as a living laboratory, continually led by the research and development occurring within its walls.
The DC-microgrid collects solar energy in its native direct current (DC) and routes it to efficiently power building loads including lighting and mechanical motors avoiding any conversion loss.
A dedicated portion of the photovoltaic array will connect directly through the microgrid to the testing pods where researchers will be able to develop native DC technologies for the future.
Excess energy from the array will be stored in a battery bank in the basement for future use and research.
Supported by a unique University-Industry partnership, the Innovation Center will be a space for collaboration between University faculty, students, EAIC researchers, local entrepreneurs, and industry experts.
SM+H worked closely with University research faculty to develop the classrooms, lab, and lecture space program, implementing the latest thinking in cross-disciplinary collaboration and education strategies.
The building design is focused on well-being within the workplace environment enhancing collaboration, innovation, and productivity.
These healthy spaces prioritize indoor air quality, daylight levels, and access to outdoor spaces.
Key points of the project include:
• EAIC Building and its iconic solar canopy provide the identity for this new West Campus at the Ohio State University
• Building massing and site design are informed by solar setbacks
• Ground floor programs of café, dining, meeting space, and large event hall will serve this new West Campus
• Collaboration and testing lab space designed for a variety of user groups
• A high-performance building that exemplifies the future of smart energy design.
Project: Energy Advancement and Innovation Center
Architects: Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects
Architects of Record: Moody Nolan
Client: The Ohio State University
Contractor: Whiting-Turner Corna Kokosing
