As home to Boston University’s Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics Department, Computer Science programs, BU Spark!, and the Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering, the Center for Computing & Data Sciences is Boston University’s most sustainable building to date. On track to be the University’s first LEED Platinum Certified Building, the Center was dedicated at the end of 2022, a seminal moment in the University’s commitment to climate action and leadership.

Geothermal Closed Loop System

While much attention has been brought to the unique design of the building, the building employs a unique and once thought-to-be difficult system to deploy in a dense urban setting – ground source heat pumps. For a 19-story tower, the Center’s geothermal closed-loop system is one of the largest systems of its kind in a dense urban setting. The system is powered by 31 geothermal boreholes that extend 1,500 feet into the ground – twice as deep as the John Hancock building is high. The heat pumps use the temperature differential the earth provides to store heat from the building during the summer and draw that heat back out of the ground in the winter. These boreholes provide 90% of the building’s heating and cooling capacity, with the remaining backed by electric boilers and chillers.

Fossil Fuel-Free

At 345,000 square feet, the Center for Computing & Data Sciences is Boston’s largest fossil fuel-free building to date. There is no gas line connected to the building. Along with the geothermal system, the building’s electricity consumption is matched by the renewable energy generated by BU Wind. Through BU Wind, the University receives and retires the associated Green-e Certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to claim credit for the emissions reductions from the wind farm. This project brings new renewable energy to the grid. In addition to BU Wind, Boston University is installing solar arrays on campus to match 23% of the new Center’s electricity consumption.

Sustainable Design

Energy efficiency begins with the building’s enclosure. On the building’s facade, exterior louvers keep the sun’s heat out during the summer, and three layers of glass help keep the heat in during the winter. The building has eight green roofs that capture rainwater, provide outdoor space for each neighborhood in the tower and reduce the urban heat island effect. To help prepare the building for the potential of floods, the ground floor is 1.25 feet higher than the University’s “Elevation of Resilience” as defined by the Climate Action Plan. During construction, embodied carbon was reduced by changing concrete mixes and extending cure times in the foundations. These modifications resulted in a 6% reduction in embodied carbon.

A Greener Boston

Boston University and the City of Boston share the goal to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The University chose to lead and set an example through the design and construction of the Center for Computing & Data Sciences. Mayor Wu and her predecessors have also chosen to lead the country toward a more just and sustainable future. Only through our collaborations can we more rapidly advance this work. BU will continue to share the lessons we have learned through the process of building and operating this symbol of climate leadership so others may join us. We hope that others will soon be able to say they have the largest fossil fuel-free building in Boston.

Opening Ceremony

On Thursday, December 8^th, 2022, the Boston University community was welcomed to the new Center for Computing & Data Sciences. At this ceremony, President Brown, Provost Morrison, Board of Trustees Chair Ahmass L. Fakahany, and Mayor Michelle Wu each made remarks and shared how this new building is a testament to the University’s commitment to climate action.

“We hope to take this example and replicate it across all of our anchor institutions and many spaces across our city.” -Mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu

You can view photo highlights from the event below.