Landscape, Conservation, and Renewal

Sustaining the Land and Conserving for the Future

Vassar Street

Excavation came first for Vassar Street, then transformation. Working with the City of Cambridge, MIT unearthed and replaced municipal utilities like electricity, water, sewer, and storm drainage as well as internal Institute systems such as telecommunications and power wiring, steam, and chilled water for heating and cooling systems. Though invisible now, the project made it possible to bury utility lines and to landscape the street on a residential scale.

Creating a neighborhood was the next step. Siting new building projects facing Vassar Street among trees, ample walkways, and traffic management will draw the MIT community to this vibrant area.

Steam Trap Replacement:

Facilities completed a major replacement program for steam traps, devices that hold steam inside radiators until it condenses. The traps then open to release water, or condensate, back into the system for recycling. These traps are a major source of energy loss when not operating properly. The project involved replacing 1800 steam traps and 1200 control valves in classrooms and offices all over campus.

More info? Visit the Conservation Efforts page.