CORNELL UNIVERSITY - UPSON HALL
Ithaca, New York, United States
RETROFIT
ORIGINAL
Perkins + Will
2017
Education + Research
5
160,000 ft214,865 m2
Re-Clad
  • Steel
  • Highly-Glazed curtainwall ( > 50% glass)

OTHER SYSTEMS INCLUDED IN THE RETROFIT
  • HVAC and/or mechanical systems
  • Lighting systems
  • Building management system

EXTENT OF THE FACADE INTERVENTION
  • Original facade was replaced with a new one

DESCRIPTION
Upson Hall hosts the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the southeast corner of the Engineering Quad at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The building, originally built in 1956. Built in International style, the horizontal block sits on a blind loggia supported by rectangular supports clad in gray Ithaca stone. The infill between the piers is glass. Upper stories are framed in limestone panels and strip aluminum windows and yellow terracotta panels and aluminum-cased windows.

As part of a master plan by the Engineering College in 2011, the building is undergoing a total renovation implemented in phases. A total re-clad of the facade is included as key system in this deep energy retrofit. The new design has what’s called an “aggregated facade”, the patterning accommodates both opening and flexibility.

OWNER
Cornell University


DEVELOPER


DESIGN ARCHITECT
Perkins + Will


EXECUTIVE ARCHITECT


ENGINEER


CONSTRUCTION MANAGER


GENERAL CONTRACTOR


FACADE CONSULTANT


FACADE CONTRACTOR


OTHER CONSULTANT/CONTRIBUTOR
1956
Education + Research
5
160,000 ft214,865 m2


ORIGINAL FACADE DESIGN
  • Curtainwall


DESCRIPTION
Upson Hall hosts the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the southeast corner of the Engineering Quad at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The building, originally built in 1956. Built in International style, the horizontal block sits on a blind loggia supported by rectangular supports clad in gray Ithaca stone. The infill between the piers is glass. Upper stories are framed in limestone panels and strip aluminum windows and yellow terracotta panels and aluminum-cased windows.

As part of a master plan by the Engineering College in 2011, the building is undergoing a total renovation implemented in phases. A total re-clad of the facade is included as key system in this deep energy retrofit. The new design has what’s called an “aggregated facade”, the patterning accommodates both opening and flexibility.

SOURCES
  1. http://cornellsun.com/blog/2014/11/19/upson-hall-to-undergo-major-renovation/
  2. Cornell University, Infrastructure Properties and Planning
  3. The Cornell Daily Sun http://cornellsun.com/blog/2014/11/19/upson-hall-to-undergo-major-renovation/
  4. A as Architecture