ABSTRACT
The University of Chicago's Department of Ecology and Evolution tends to take the long view when it comes to plant and animal ecology. The field station had to be durable and resilient enough to maintain consistent indoor temperatures and keep experiments viable even in the face of extreme wintry weather and potential power interruptions. As durability and resiliency are standard characteristics of PH buildings, the university's initial planning solicitation stipulated that the Warren Woods Ecological Field Station would have to meet the PH standard. Warren Woods Ecological Field Station, sited on 42 acres, houses a research laboratory, a seminar hall that can accommodate up to 35 students and occasional sleeping quarters for six scientists. The walls were constructed using 8 inch structural insulated panels (SIPs) filled with graphite-infused EPS. To provide a true rain screen, the SIPs are covered with a one-way breathable building paper and a strapping layer on top that provides a one-inch gap.
