MIT Building Decarbonization Pilot Project: Test Fit Study

Available spaces for geothermal exchange and thermal storage installation. Red: Buildings. Yellow: Available Space. Grey: MIT campus.
Available spaces for geothermal exchange and thermal storage installation. Red: Buildings. Yellow: Available Space. Grey: MIT campus.

 

MIT D-Lab class

D-Lab: Climate Change and Planetary Health

Student team

MIT students unless otherwise noted.

  • Kevin Johnson - Harvard graduate student
  • Angelina Zhang - Harvard graduate student
  • Benedetta Zuccarelli - Harvard graduate student

Test fit study

A test fit is a floor plan used by architects to assess the feasibility of a physical space and its ability to meet a client's programmatic needs. Though not necessarily very detailed, a test fit yields a rough determination of whether your program will fit physically in your desired site.

As part of the MIT Building Decarbonization Pilot Project, we, as a student group, were pivotal in compiling a comprehensive dossier on existing campus building details, laying the groundwork for future interventions such as thermal storage installation. Our efforts involved assessing and analyzing the utility systems of these buildings, paving the way for strategic interventions aligned with MIT's Net Zero 2026 initiative.

Through this work, we gained invaluable insights into the complexities of decarbonizing buildings and transitioning to sustainable energy systems. Collaborating closely with experts from diverse backgrounds, we embraced a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving, deepening our understanding of the ethical and moral dimensions of shaping our built environment for a more sustainable future.

Priorities

High priority/chilled water loop

  • W20/ Stratton student Center
  • W31/ Du Pont Athletic Gymnasium
  • W33/ Rockwell cage

Low priority/comun H/C

  • W32/ Du Pont Athletic Center
  • W34/ Johnson Athletics Center
  • W35/ Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center

Plan and analysis

See slides for full details.

Next steps

Further investigation of the mechanical devices for each building:

  1. Building W20: Mechanical plans/elevation more detailed investigation
  2. Building W31: External machinery and investigate the rooftop units
  3. Building W32: Missing mechanical room layout detail
  4. Building W33: Missing plans
  5. Building W34: Missing detail of the mechanical room AHU
  6. Building W35: External machinery and Plans for pool heating equipment

Contact

Susan Murcott, D-Lab: Water, Climate Change, and Health Instructor