The Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Center for Innovation and Active Citizenship

Project Overview

Washington, CT – SES provided design, construction and post-occupancy commissioning services for the new Center for Innovation and Active Citizenship on the Frederick Gunn School Campus. Affectionately known as “The Lizzie,” the 27,000 Square Foot building was designed, constructed and commissioned with Net Zero and occupancy comfort in mind. The scope of commissioning included mechanical, electrical, plumbing and envelope systems. The building is equipped with a sophisticated and efficient ground-source geothermal heat pump system coupled with electric boilers and chillers for redundancy. Modern learning spaces contain hydronic radiant heating in the slabs, four-pipe fan coil units, VAV boxes and a lab hood and exhaust system. The envelope, electrical, and plumbing systems commissioning including air and water infiltration testing, infrared scanning, lighting controls, generator and transfer switch trials, and testing of the domestic boiler plant. The design complexity in addition to the compact footprint of the systems required attention to detail and provided a satisfying outcome to students, staff and stakeholders.