Davis Center

Williams College is a private, residential liberal arts institution with 2,100 students that aims to be an inclusive learning community in which all can thrive. Salas O’Brien provided integrated engineering design services for the newly completed Davis Center, a project that promotes equity, celebrates diversity, and supports student success across all identities, including race, gender, sexuality, class, religion, and ability.

Our team supported Williams College’s commitment to sustainability by incorporating several energy-efficient features that collectively contribute to the project’s high energy efficiency. The Davis Center has net zero operational carbon and net zero embodied carbon and includes fossil-fuel-free systems, locally sourced mass timber construction, and an enhanced building envelope. Achieving Living Building Challenge 3.1 petal certification, including Red List-free materials, the Davis Center reflects advanced sustainability and building science, meeting both current and future user needs.

Awards
AIA Architecture Award 2026
AIA National Education Facility Design Award 2025
AIA New England Architecture Honor Award 2025
BSA Built Design Award 2025
BSA Unbuilt Planning & Design Award 2023
SCUP/AIA-CAE Excellence in Architecture Award 2025
Chicago Athenaeum – American Architecture Award 2025
Chicago Athenaeum – International Architecture Award 2025
Chicago Athenaeum – Green Good Design Award 2025
Metropolis Planet Positive Awards 2025
World Architecture Festival 2025
The WAN Americas Awards 2025
Architizer A+ 2025
A’N Best of Design Awards, 2024
THE PLAN Award 2025
Built Design Award 2024
Engineering News-Record New England Best Projects 2024