Leers Weinzapfel has created a lighting scheme for a utility system building at Harvard University.

This District Energy Facility embodies a state-of-the-art, sustainable utility generation system for Harvard University's expanding Allston campus, providing reliable heating, cooling, and electricity.

Occupying a former railyard, the DEF will soon be surrounded by science/engineering related development, and midrise residences.

Technology is put on display day and evening by lighting the vibrant colour-coded equipment and spaces from within: the exterior aluminium fins forming a wrapper around the building’s cubic shape are gently top-lit to maintain their bold form, while a large cylindrical exterior tank is also gently lit, with pre-set colour options for celebrating community events.

This project has been longlisted in the architectural lighting design category of Dezeen Awards 2022.

Designer: Leers Weinzapfel

Project: Harvard University District Energy Facility