Suffolk University

At Nathan R. Miller Residence Hall, a student housing facility in the heart of Boston with a vibrant internal life, a 19-story central atrium harvests daylight and thermally buffers surrounding interior spaces, reducing heat loss and gain.

The atrium is enclosed by transparent south-facing glass walls, skylights, and interior reflective surfaces, including interior glazing and aluminum wall panels. These devices, chosen to reflect and diffuse light to the ground floor and into adjacent bedrooms, lounges, and common spaces, provide a quality and quantity of daylight not found in the typical dormitory.

Acting as a thermal buffer and a cold-weather solar collector, the double-glazed, low-E coated glass-enclosed atrium tempers the air above the occupied ground level and reduces heat gain and loss to the adjacent dormitory rooms with minimal energy use. Temperature sensors at the top of the shaft control louvers and fans that allow outside air to naturally ventilate the atrium, optimizing internal temperatures. Additionally, glazing of the upper-level curtainwall and skylight, incorporating integral shading, reduces radiant heat penetration by 40%.

• Project sited in a dense urban environment with existing infrastructure, limiting urban sprawl and protecting greenfields
• Mass-transit system is easily accessible
• Bicycle storage and on-site shower facilities encourage alternative transportation
• Absence of on-site parking encourages use of mass-transit
• Project has not increased rate or quantity of stormwater runoff
• Highly reflective roofing materials reduce heat-island effect
• Light reduction measures prevent night-sky light pollution

• 19-story atrium creates a naturally ventilated thermal buffer between the occupied interior and outdoor environments
• Transparent double-glazed low-E coated glass atrium shaft provides daylight penetration to interior and views to outdoor environment
• Temperature sensors at top of atrium shaft control louvers and fans that ventilate the atrium with outside air, optimizing internal temperatures
• Upper-level glazing incorporating integral shading reduces radiant heat penetration by 40%. In cold weather, the atrium acts as a solar collector

• Natural daylight is present in 90% of indoor spaces
• No smoking policy and low-VOC paints, carpets, adhesives, and sealants preserve indoor air quality

• Dedicated storage and collection area provided for recyclable materials
• 20% of building materials are regionally manufactured
• Carpet, ceiling tiles, and drywall contain significant recycled content

• Fully automated systems optimize building energy consumption
• Ventilation system uses filtered, unconditioned outside air for cooling during late fall, winter, and early spring
• Energy recovery measures transfer heating and cooling energy from exhausted air to fresh air supply
• Atrium is heated and cooled only at ground-level occupied space
• Atrium and glass-enclosed stairwell employ natural ventilation systems
• HCFC-free and halon-free refrigeration and fire-suppression equipment prevents ozone depletion

• Low-flow fixtures reduce potable water usage

345-bed facility incorporating:

• Four floors of lounge, recreation, exercise, and office space; computer labs; laundry, and dining/food service
• 17 floors of housing and lounge space