Q&A with Dyer Brown: Northeastern University College of Environmental Engineering Innovation Studio

Daniel Johnson

Credit: Darrin Hunter, courtesy of Dyer Brown.

In January, Dyer Brown & Associates announced the completion of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Innovation Studio at Northeastern University.

The previous 5,000-square-foot studio was demolished and reprogrammed into an innovative development, with a hallmark feature being the Experiential Learning Laboratory: fitted with movable lab benches, and flex labs for faculty and students to use for work and storage.

Lab Design spoke to Daniel Johnson, associate and senior project manager at Dyer Brown, to learn more.

Q: Could you tell us more about the design process? What was it like from

conception to execution?

A: There were a large number of individual stakeholders in Northeastern’s civil and environmental engineering department, and while they all shared the same vision for a reimagined Innovation Studio, each viewed the project with a slightly different set of priorities. So although the programming and initial study were actually completed before Dyer Brown engaged, there was still a great deal of design development and consensus building needed to get this project across the finish line. Our design team was integral to the process of collaboration and iterating that ultimately led to the best possible outcome – something we take a great deal of pride in.

Q: Were there any foreseeable limitations or concerns during the design process? How were they addressed?

A: With the studio space located adjacent to several spaces that could not be moved or resized – a primary circulation corridor and existing building mechanical and electrical rooms – our biggest challenge was to work within the existing footprint, and without the possibility of expanding, to deliver on the department’s hopes and needs. To do this we optimized for flexibility within the available footprint, strategically locating heads-down work areas and classroom space as far as possible from the noise associated with the mechanical and electrical systems. We also maximized the amount of natural daylight throughout by utilizing all of the available exterior windows in this below-grade space.

Q: What was the most rewarding part of the design process?

A: For us, as designers the big reward is watching the client’s vision come to life: seeing the transformation from the previous undervalued and underutilized studio into a bright new teaching and learning environment. Previously the studio did not align with the otherwise robust academic environment and the associated sense of pride and that existed in the civil and environmental engineering department. Seeing the new CEE Innovation Studio reflect the ambitious, forward-looking mission of the university and the engineering department, it is very gratifying to know that Dyer Brown contributed design expertise and innovation to make it happen.

Q: How, if at all, did sustainability inform your design?

A: At Dyer Brown, we view all project work and every decision we make through three lenses: design, diversity, and sustainability – and the CEE Innovation studio is no exception. While our scope was limited, sustainable design informed our choices of materials and finishes as well as our emphasis on maximizing the penetration of natural daylight. We are especially proud that the studio will be part of the education of the next generation of environmental and civil engineering innovators, which also informed our choices.

Q: What is planning space utilization, and how did it inform your design?

A: We implemented programming recommendations from the study completed prior to our engagement. Additionally, two questionnaires were sent out – one to faculty members who would be teaching and using the studio and another to a group of graduate students who would also be utilizing this space. Their thoughtful responses informed many elements of our design.

Q: How did the running themes of innovation and transformation impact the design, and how were they executed?

Credit: Darrin Hunter, courtesy of Dyer Brown.

A: To align the studio with the department’s emphasis on innovation and transformation we decided to emphasize the open Build Space by making it the core, an anchor for the suite of labs and classrooms. We also introduced glazing wherever possible between the core and the adjacent labs and fabrication facility, both to maximize the natural light and to create an active, dynamic setting where everyone can see others at work. Additionally, an important aspect of the program is exposing school-age students to engineering by running hands-on workshops in the space, so we worked to create a space that would excite and engage visiting K-12 groups of potential future engineers (and potential future Northeastern University students).

Q: How long did the project take to complete? Was it within your projection?

A: The entire project took 13 months from initial project kickoff to the grand opening. This aligned with our initial project timeline and projected finish date.

Q: What feature of the institute was the most enjoyable to design? And what was the most challenging?

A: The design of the build space was the most enjoyable because it’s the portion we understood would be utilized most often, and also would be the most visible, creating any student or visitor’s initial impression. The most challenging part was coordinating construction around all of the base building utilities infrastructure that runs directly through the studio footprint, but could not be moved.

Q: How does the design contribute to urban design and infrastructure evolution?

A: While our design will not contribute directly to innovations in urban design and infrastructure, we believe that the CEE Innovation Studio represents an acceleration of the ongoing engineering research work at Northeastern and an enhancement of the academic environment in which the next generation of civil and environmental engineers are taught. Likewise, it is our hope that the Studio can also raise the profile of the department, boosting prospects for recruitment and retention of talented undergraduate and graduate students.

Q: What was the original space? How did you incorporate some of its original infrastructure into your design?

A: The original space was being utilized for the same program but the layout prevented students from collaborating effectively. Without any dedicated lab or build spaces the studio previously felt unorganized, and students and faculty noted that it was difficult to utilize the studio effectively. Dyer Brown transformed the dark, below-grade space, which formerly felt largely invisible to the rest of the campus, with updated equipment and new visibility to well-traveled circulation corridor just outside, turning it into a branded showcase of the department’s offerings.

Q: Is there anything you would like to add or mention?

A: It was a joy to work collaboratively with Northeastern’s entire engineering department. They provided critical insights into the department’s goals and needs, and how they wanted it to be perceived by both existing and future students. It’s rewarding to be a part of creating a space that will be integral to educating the future engineers who will transform the way large-scale issues of infrastructure and the environment are addressed globally.