Durham College Energy Innovation Centre (EIC)

Durham College’s Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) is designed as a living lab – an education space that allows visitors to learn more about geothermal energy systems. The one-storey glass structure is built overtop of a geothermal field that is responsible for the heating and cooling of the College’s Gordon Willey building. EIC provides an open, exhibit-like space with interactive displays and integrated audio-visual equipment.

J.J. McGuire delivered the building as Design-Builder, working in close collaboration with Durham College and Walter Fedy as Design Lead.

The project was undertaken in a compressed schedule, with the facility required to be delivered in tandem with the geothermal infrastructure being implemented concurrently. To meet the schedule requirement, construction began while design was on-going. J.J. McGuire provided significant input on value-engineering for the design to ensure the project remained in line with budget expectations. The team worked closely with trusted trade partners to revise building systems for structural and fire protection, providing solutions that maintained the integrity of the design intent for the exhibit-like space. Georgian wired glass and hollow metal screens were utilized throughout the steel frame and glass building to achieve the required fire rating without increasing costs.

J.J. McGuire worked closely with Siemens who was contracted directly to the client to ensure that the building interfaced reliability with the geothermal equipment, including thorough, on-going coordination for the extensive penetrations in the foundation required to accommodate piping and connections for power.