Wake Tech Regional Plant Receives National AIA CAE Design Recognition
Clark Nexsen’s design creates a unique educational resource that showcases energy efficient building systems and technology.
The Regional Plant 2 Teaching Facility at Wake Tech Community College has been honored as one of the best educational facilities in North America by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE). The jury recognized the facility with an Award of Excellence, commenting that the design finds “innovative ways for making every space on campus a learning opportunity.”
The Regional Plant was among twelve projects the AIA CAE selected as the best school and college facilities demonstrating how architecture can be used to inspire learners, educators, administrators, and campus communities.
The facility combines technology, education and sustainability taking a utilitarian project to a transformative level. While the primary function of the Regional Plant is to house heating and cooling systems, the design of the facility creates a unique educational experience teaching students about energy efficient building systems by putting them on display.
A team comprised entirely of North Carolina-based professionals worked with Wake Tech to provide design and construction:
Architecture – Clark Nexsen
MEP Engineering – RMF Engineering
Structural Engineering – Stewart Engineering
Civil Engineering – CALYX Engineers + Consultants
Landscape Architecture – Surface 678
Construction Manager – Skanska USA Building, Inc.
The jury for the AIA CAE awards was led by Karina Ruiz, AIA, principal at Portland, Oregon and Seattle-based DOWA-IBI Group Architects; Christina Alvarez, CEO of public charter school Delaware Design-Lab High Schools; Helena L. Jubany, FAIA, at Spokane, Washington-based firm NAC Architecture; Bruce Lindsey, AIA, dean of architecture at Washington University in St. Louis’ Sam Fox School; Zachary Neubauer, student at the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon; and Steve Ziger, AIA, partner of Baltimore, Maryland-based Ziger/Snead Architects.
Read more about the Education Facility Design Awards on AIA’s website.