Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

THE ENGINE

• “The Engine.” An incubator space for MIT designed with a joint collaboration between MIT and Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) that provides a space for new startups working on scientific and technological innovations.
• The Engine occupies the second through fourth floors and includes office space, meeting areas, a café and a one pass clean air wet lab area taking up the entire fourth floor. The space was designed with an open ceiling concept, leaving the MEP/FP systems exposed.
• The challenge. The building had a wooden frame which required our mechanical team to design an unconventional system where the return air was ducted and all of the AC units were heat pumps.
• We also worked closely with a structural engineer and the City of Cambridge on the design of the laboratory space, where stainless steel ductwork was used for the lab’s exhaust, ensuring that the metal would not corrode. Custom mechanical details were designed for soldering benches and provided extra CFM to ensure the lab space was kept to a comfortable temperature.