Colby College, Biomass Cogeneration Plant

The architect and engineering team designed a new biomass boiler plant used to supplement an existing oil fired boiler plant on a New England College campus. The building is sited on a rural campus near a wooded area. The main challenge was to provide a plant that had the proper access and storage for the fuel source while creating a facility that allowed for the continuous operation of both plants during and after construction while being environmentally sensitive to the site. Aesthetically, the new building needed to work within the context of the existing plant, but given the high profile nature of its use, there was an opportunity to display its function as well as express and call attention to the unique quality of the plant. Striking a balance between being harmonious with the existing plant and elegantly showcasing the new building's interior functionality was also a critical challenge for the design team. Project earned LEED NC 2009 Gold. Submitter: ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge