Located at the entrance of Wake Tech Community College on a wooded site, the Regional Plant Teaching Facility creates a gateway to the campus and symbolizes the merging of technology, education and sustainability.

Although the building’s program is composed of spaces to house heating and cooling equipment, it also serves as an educational facility for teaching students and the public about energy-efficient building systems. A simple rectilinear glass and steel box with a perforated metal screen layer houses, screens and displays the technology and creates a unique educational space for the college.

Jury comments

From utilitarianism to architecture, the Teaching Facility demonstrates innovative ways for making every space on campus a learning opportunity. Rather than hiding the building’s elements in an out-of-the-way bunker on the site, the College chose to showcase the facility’s necessary operations in a way that serves the students. It is exceptionally well-detailed with clear and precise planning.