Harvard University HouseZero
TYLin provided structural engineering services to transform a pre-1940s wood-framed house into a positive energy structure.
This project retrofitted the existing headquarters of the Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities. It is designed to comply with the most rigorous energy efficient goals, most notably 100% daylight autonomy, 100% natural ventilation, and net zero energy emissions during daily operations and maintenance.
To accomplish this, TYLin’s scope of work included installing a new lateral system in the perimeter wood-framed walls, retrofitting the floors to support new concrete topping slabs through a combination of new joists and sistering existing joists, and cutting new openings into the foundation wall on one side for a basement conference room. TYLin also designed the steel support structure for the solar chimney and the exterior entry ramp and porch structures.