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Physical Sciences Building (2018)
The Physical Sciences Building (PSB) provides a mix of flex laboratories and office space to accommodate a wide variety of physics, computational, and synthetic chemistry research. At 95,000 square feet spread across three flexible levels, the building is designed to be reconfigured many times over its life to serve evolving research needs.
As part of the project, the existing West Experiment Station (WES) was disassembled, relocated, and rebuilt on a brand-new foundation. Interior renovations to the WES increased its usable space by 50%. The rehabilitated structure now houses 20 faculty and graduate student offices from the departments of Physics and Chemistry. Interior bridges connect the Physical Sciences Building to the WES and neighboring Goessmann Laboratory.
Building Information
Address: 690 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003-9303
Completed: Spring 2018
Size: 95,486 GSF
Designer / Architect: Wilson Architects
Sustainability Consultant: Vidaris, Inc.
Construction Manager: The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Owner's Project Manager: DCAMM
UMass Project Manager: Joe Balzano
UMass Project Planners: Jeff Dalzell, Thomas Huf, Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham
Sustainability
Resources
LEED Project Scorecard
LEED Project Dashboard
Green Building Brochure
Indoor Air Quality
- Developed and implemented an Indoor Air Quality Plan during construction and before occupancy
- Low-VOC flooring, paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and composite wood
- Pollutant-collecting floor mats, HVAC filters, and isolated chemical storage ensure personal health and safety
- Individual lighting and temperature controls allow occupants to make adjustments for maximum comfort
- Thermal comfort survey administered to building occupants following project completion
- CO2 sensors ensure adequate fresh air is provided to densely occupied spaces
- Negative air pressure and self-closing doors present in rooms with hazardous gases or chemicals to help keep occupants safe
- Both return and outside air filtered before delivered as supply air
Materials + Resources
- Diverted 84% of construction wastes from landfill
- 24% of building materials extracted, processed, and manufactured regionally
- 17% of building materials contain recycled content
- 88% of wood products are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified
Innovation in Design
- Low-mercury lighting
- Active green building public education programs
- Green Housekeeping Program
Water Efficiency
- Water efficient landscaping improves site ecology without permanent irrigation methods
- 30% reduction in potable water use via low-flow plumbing fixtures
Sustainable Sites
- Brownfield redevelopment
- Walkable to a library, hotel, restaurants, and other community services. Easy access to seven PVTA campus bus routes
- Campus wide parking policy with discounts for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles
- Compact building footprint maximizes 60% vegetated, open green space on site in addition to pedestrian accessible walkways
- Strategic hardscaping and light colored roofing mitigates heat island effect
- Walkable Relocation and remediation of the West Experiment Station (WES) introduces 50% usable space
Energy & Atmosphere
- Overall energy performance optimized by 30%
- Select refrigerants used to minimize contributions to global warming and ozone depletion
- Shut the Sash initiative encourages users to manually close the vent hood when not in use to promote safety and energy savings
- Implemented enhanced commissioning to ensure that the building’s systems perform as intended post-occupancy
Photo Gallery
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Construction and northwest aerial perspectives courtesy of DCAMM. All other images courtesy of Wilson Architects.
Media
Videos
UMass to Build $85M Science Building
WWLP-22News - 10/3/2012
Articles
New Physical Sciences Building officially opens
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian - 4/8/19
UMass Amherst Celebrates Opening of Physical Sciences Building
Boston Real Estate Times - 4/9/19
Completed Physical Sciences Building, Rebuilt Horse Barn Among New Sights for Fall Semester
UMass News & Media Relations - 9/6/18
Major Campus Construction Projects on Schedule
UMass News & Media Relations - 2/1/2018
Interim Director of Campus Planning Gives Update on Master Plan and Campus Development at UMass
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian - 2/1/2018
New Physical Science Building to be Completed in Spring 2018
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian - 10/12/2017
New Buildings On Campus Reflect Changing Academic Styles
Amherst Wire - 11/1/2016
UMass Amherst Has New Projects In Design Phase, Including Physical Sciences Building
MassLive - 12/13/2013
Physical Science Building May Be Built At UMass
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian - 9/29/2011
UMass Physical Sciences Building Construction
Adobe Spark
UMass Amherst - Physical Sciences Building
Mass.gov
Rebuilding the West Experiment Station
Wilson Architects - 12/2015
Physical Sciences Building - University of Massachusetts Amherst
Wilson Architects - n.d.
Physical Sciences Building Project Requires Parking Lot, Bus Stop Changes
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 6/11/2015
Physical Sciences Building
Gale Associates, Inc. - n.d.
Physical Sciences Building
UMass Amherst Design & Construction Management - n.d.
Sidewalks Blocked for Preliminary Work for New Physical Sciences Building
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 3/16/2015
New Construction, Renovations Greet Returning Students, Faculty
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 9/3/2015
Major Construction Projects on View as Semester Begins
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 8/23/2017
New Fence Line for Physical Sciences Building Project to be Established July 6
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 7/2/2015
Construction, Renovation Projects Continue as Classes Resume
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 8/31/2016
Construction, Renovation Projects Continue as Classes Resume
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 8/23/2017