New Power Plant

Dartmouth College

Professor John Wilson

Winter 2018

The task of the project was to design a new power plant for Dartmouth College that would improve campus energy efficiency and function as a community and gathering space. The new biomass power plant will be a newly constructed building located at the Lewiston, VT site. The new structure will be the primary use of the property.

The building’s form takes inspiration from a solar panel, communicating what it is about through its form. Through its design, the building itself suggests energy efficiency.

To encourage use of the power plant by the community the design of the power plant utilizes the Connecticut River, which is the main attraction of the given site. To take advantage of the river there is a ramp and dock that extends from the building. These features can be used as socializing spaces, places to take in the view and a way to access the river. Once at the dock on the riverfront people can utilize the river for swimming and boating in the warmer months and ice skating and ice-fishing in the colder months. On the interior of the power plant there will be study spaces, sitting areas and a space to view and learn about the power plant equipment.  

The design of the power plant provides the modern amenities needed for its role as a power plant, while referencing the old design of the original power plant and other Dartmouth architecture, both new and old. The design for the new power plant is bold and dramatic, which perfectly embodies its functionality.