Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Quissett Campus Master Plan and Research Facilities

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Quissett Campus Master Plan and Research Facilities

Woods Hole, Massachusetts | 165 acres | 2002

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is the world’s largest private, non-profit, ocean research, engineering, and education organization. Dedicated to research and higher education at the frontiers of ocean science, the Institution’s primary mission is to develop and effectively communicate a fundamental understanding of the processes and characteristics governing how the oceans function and how they interact with Earth as a whole.

 

Ellenzweig provided a full array of pre-design planning and programming services in developing a Master Plan for the Institution’s 165-acre Quissett Campus on Cape Cod, and has worked with the Institution in implementing that plan since its completion in 2002. Throughout the planning effort Ellenzweig worked closely with Stephen Stimson Associates, Landscape Architect for the project.

 

The Institution’s mission for the plan focused on strengthening the interdisciplinary nature of its research efforts, organized in five main departments—Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Biology, Geology and Geophysics, Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, and Physical Oceanography—and transforming the campus, which was fragmented by roadways and parking lots, from vehicular- to pedestrian-centric.

 

The Master Plan recommended design and construction of new, contemporary research buildings, expansion of the central energy plant, an auditorium, and student housing, and also included consideration of overall campus energy systems, water treatment systems, signage systems, parking facilities, and recreation facilities. The Plan included overall site design recommendations, landscape features, building location and massing criteria, permitting/approvals analysis, and analysis of all environmental/permitting issues.

 

To achieve the goal of a coherent, pedestrian-centered campus, Ellenzweig recommended realignment of campus roadway systems and the relocation of parking areas. A car-free zone at the campus core, linking existing and new buildings with pedestrian pathways and outdoor gathering spaces, was recommended to enhance the sense of community and foster scientific interaction.

 

As part of the Master Plan, Ellenzweig provided detailed programming for two new marine science research facilities equipped with specialized labs for marine research. Programming was also provided for an underwater instrument development facility, marine acoustics research space, marine research archive, researcher offices, graduate student space, and conference facilities.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Quissett Campus Master Plan and Research Facilities