The University of Chicago’s Warren Woods Ecological Field Station, designed and built by GO Logic, isn’t only the first Passive House-certified laboratory in North America; it’s also the fifth in the entire world and the first outside of Germany. Impressive stats aside, the structure boasts a beautiful distressed wood exterior and a clean, contemporary interior to be enjoyed and utilized by the university’s Department of Ecology and Evolution for research projects and educational programs and classes, as well as departmental retreats and events. We chose three words to define GO Logic’s stunning, functional design.
Remote \ri-ˈmōt\ (adj.)
Far away from other people, houses, cities, etc. Located on 42 acres of land adjacent to Warren Woods State Park in Berrien County, Michigan, this isolated research facility houses—in addition to a fully equipped laboratory—seminar space, bathrooms, a kitchenette, and three sleeping cabins.
Technical \ˈtek-ni-kəl\ (adj.)
Relating to the practical use of machines or science in industry, medicine, etc. Building a complex laboratory in a humid environment comes with its fair share of challenges. High levels of occupancy by researchers and high levels of heat generated by research equipment (such as plant growth chambers, a -80°C freezer, an incubator, and tools for DNA extraction) had to be accounted for in order to reach Passive House certifications.
Overheat \-ˈhēt\ (verb)
To heat to excess. Given the climate, GO Logic placed the laboratory on the comparatively cooler north face of the building and designed tall ceilings (made possible by the sloped roof structure) in the seminar space and private lounge, which are punctuated by an extensive solar glazing—oriented south.
The floor, comprised of polished concrete slab, provides a thermal mass that helps control the interior temperature.
