Principal Hana Kassem and Global Director of Sustainability Carlos Cerezo Davila led a conference session about the KPF-designed, all-electric research building currently under construction at Columbia University.
Electrifying buildings of all types is essential to decarbonize the built environment, but for campus facilities, particularly research buildings, it remains a technical and design challenge. Titled “Going All Electric: Creating A Catalyst for Campus Decarbonization,” Hana and Carlos’ session explored how their design was developed to support the school’s decarbonization plan, which aims for net-zero emissions by 2030, to create New York City’s first all-electric academic research lab. KPF’s design of the Vagelos Innovation Laboratories employs cutting-edge mechanical and architectural design techniques to deliver a facility that expands Columbia University’s research capacity with laboratory and office space without introducing new fossil fuel infrastructure.
Hana and Carlos joined Patrick Burke, Vice President of Facilities Management, Operations & Planning at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and Jason Sylvain, Senior Vice President of WSP, to discuss the transformative project and the new approach to campus development that it embodies.
The event took place on April 7 at 2:30pm local time. Learn more and register to attend here.