Selected Projects

Newark Digital Century Science Center | Newark, New Jersey


The Digital Century Center (DCC) Building was a speculative, mixed-use, technology incubator facility of 100,000 square feet located in University Heights Science Park (UHSP), Newark, NJ. UHSP was a collaborative venture between New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), The University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), Rutgers University at Newark, Essex County College, the City and Community of Newark, and private industry designed to harness university science and technology research as a force for urban and regional economic and community development.

UHSP, located on a 50-acre mixed-use, science and technology park adjacent to the four higher education sponsors, intended to attract research in energy and environmental technology; biosciences and biotechnology; information and communications technology; and advanced manufacturing technology. The DCC Building would have housed high technology tenants whose specific facility needs included space for dry-labs, wet-labs, and research and development facilities.

A photovoltaic (PV) array sun-shading system on the south of the building with high efficiency PV modules helped satisfy some of the building's electrical demand. An Energy Star compliant roofing system mitigated solar gain on the roof. Low flow plumbing fixtures were used throughout in order to reduce potable water consumption. Daylighting design included large windows with ample daylighting glazing and high performance glass, separate zoning of perimeter light fixtures, sloped ceilings, and an integrated lighting management system.

Energy efficiency measures included a high performance, variable frequency drive chiller/cooling tower; demand control ventilation; and a roof mounted solar panel for radiant heating. These energy efficiency measures, when combined with the high performance glazing and the highly insulated envelope, would have produced energy savings of 26% over an energy code compliant building. Full building commissioning, beginning in design and continuing through post-occupancy, ensured that actual performance met design expectations. Project scope included fully developed design/documentation and competitive bidding to establish viability and budget conformance — these goals were accomplished.