Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel renovation, Building 17

A renovation of the landmark Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel created the most advanced academic wind tunnel in the nation to date.

-71.0934000000 42.3601000000
Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel exterior (Adam Glanzman)

Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel renovation, Building 17

76 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139

Status: Complete

Themes: Innovation and collaboration
Renovation and renewal
Enhancement of life and learning

Completion: 2021

A renovation of the landmark Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel created the most advanced academic wind tunnel in the nation to date.

Overview

Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel exterior (Adam Glanzman)
Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel facade (Adam Glanzman)
Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel fan (Adam Glanzman)
Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel before and after fan (MIT Museum and Adam Glanzman)

Status

Complete

Completion Date

2021

Themes and priorities

Innovation and collaboration
Renovation and renewal
Enhancement of life and learning

Since it first opened in September 1938, MIT’s Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel has been an instrumental tool in the development of aerospace, architectural, vehicular, sports, and other engineering systems. Testing at the facility has ranged from aircraft and ground structure aeroelasticity to the aerodynamics of subway station entrances, space suits, racing bicycles, and Olympic ski suits. After 80 years of service, MIT undertook and completed a renovation and modernization of the landmark facility.

The new tunnel incorporates state-of-the-art technologies and equipment that provide expanded capacity while lowering fan motor power consumption. With a test area volume of 1600 cubic feet and the ability to test speeds up to 230 mph, it is the largest and most advanced academic wind tunnel in the nation (as of construction completion). Located at Building 17 on the site of the current tunnel (which was dismantled), the new facility retains the Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel name.

The renovations included updates to the control facilities, a full rehabilitation of Building 17, and infrastructure updates in Building 37 and in the Building 33 Hangar. The project also created direct connections between the tunnel and AeroAstro workshops.

Image credits

A. Glanzman; historic image courtesy MIT Museum

Details

Address

76 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139

School or Unit

School of Engineering (SoE)

Use

Academic

Project Team

Architect: Imai Keller Moore Architects, Watertown, MA.
Construction manager: Turner Construction Co, Boston MA.
MIT Team: Eric Ammondson, Robert P. Cunkelman, Christos Maravelias, Sonia Richards

Scope

Approximately 5,500 gsf

Design Features

  • Renovation and modernization of a landmark facility
  • Largest and most advanced academic wind tunnel in the nation (as of construction completion)
  • State-of-the-art technologies and equipment to provide expanded capacity while lowering fan motor power consumption
  • Test area volume of 1600 cubic feet
  • Able to test speeds up to 230 mph
  • Updates to control facilities
  • Infrastructure updates
  • Created direct connections between the tunnel and AeroAstro workshops

Sustainable Design Elements

  • High-performance windows
  • Low-flow fixtures
  • LED sensor-driven lighting
  • VAV system and right-sizing of HVAC equipment to reduce energy use
  • Energy recovery ventilation
  • Stormwater management
  • Restoration and reuse of existing building (Building 17)
  • Variable frequency drives for major mechanical equipment and wind tunnel motor

Map

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