Dartmouth College ECSC

The new, LEED Platinum-certified, Engineering and Computer Science Center at Dartmouth College unites three departments: Thayer School of Engineering, the Department of Computer Science, and the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship, into what is now the second-largest academic building on campus. According to architecture firm HGA, “The design of the building is organized around interaction and collaboration to promote synergies between fields that spark discovery and solutions to global science and engineering challenges.”

Acentech was instrumental in ensuring the building’s sensitive labs would not be disturbed by vibration from inside (or outside) the new facility. We provided recommendations for quiet mechanical systems, appropriate finishes for excellent room acoustics, and sound-isolating constructions to avoid sound bleeding between noisy maker spaces and quiet study rooms.

Acentech’s telecommunications experts designed a structured cabling system for 10 Gb (10 Gigabit) Ethernet that supports high-speed data transmission reliably across Dartmouth’s network. We specified a mix of Category 6A copper and high-performance fiber optic cables, with an optimized layout for performance, scalability, and ease of maintenance. 10 Gb equipment generates more heat, so the design of the cabling system had to avoid obstructing cooling airflow. After installation, the entire cabling infrastructure was tested and certified for 10 Gb, meeting industry standards including TIA/EIA 568, ISO/IEC 11801, and IEEE 802.3an, to ensure inter-operability, reliability, and performance.

Acentech also designed a physical security system that balances accessibility with robust security to ensure the safety of students, staff, and campus property. This system features an electronic access control system using card readers, allowing the college to track who enters and exits specific rooms, which can be easily updated if access needs to change. The camera system consists of strategically placed high-resolution security cameras to cover all entry and exit points and sensitive areas, with infrared or low-light capabilities for nighttime surveillance.

With its soaring, light-filled atrium and high-performance design features, the new center will be a welcoming and collaborative home for STEM academics and research for years to come.