One of the key sustainable design elements of the renovation is the green roof. Storm water from a portion of the building's roof is captured and stored in cisterns then pumped to the fifth-floor green roof using solar energy from a panel located on the 17th floor roof. The team's challenges in creating the green roof included distinguishing native plants that could survive in a harsh climate with high winds, limited sun and no watering; weight limitations of the existing structure; accessibility for building occupants; and low maintenance costs. The result is an open area covering more that 20 percent of the project footprint. The plantings will keep the building cooler in the summer while reducing the energy loads within the building. In addition, the green roof will also reduce the heat island effect of the building's footprint. By reducing the amount of solar absorption that takes place through the roof, the emission of excess heat into the air will be reduced.
Strict attention to indoor air quality required the use of low-emitting materials during the renovation and the inclusion of exhaust systems rooms where hazardous gasses and chemicals are used (i.e., janitor supply rooms). The team worked collaboratively to find low-VOC products that could be used in restoring existing woodwork, marble and stone. Suffolk's team also installed permanent monitoring systems that provide feedback on ventilation system performance, alerting building management and tenants when conditions vary by 10 percent from a step point.
To facilitate the effective reduction in energy use within the building, the project team implemented numerous strategies dealing with lighting (e.g., maximizing natural light, the use of occupancy sensors, daylight dimming and task lighting); water use (e.g., low-flow fixtures in faucets, urinals, water closets and shower heads); and heating (Low E/insulated windows and furred-in, R-11 insulation added to existing exterior walls to improve energy efficiency in the building envelope). Mechanical systems utilize Premium Efficiency Motors and VFDs.
The restoration also included a complete window replacement. New windows feature highly insulated glass, new perimeter sealants, and plastic thermal breaks that will greatly increase the comfort of the building occupants and will reduce operating costs. The windows also had to meet aesthetic standards for renovations to an historic building and required the approval of the Boston Landmarks Commission. |  Boston, MA
Owner:
U.S. General Services Administration
Architect:
Goody Clancy
Value:
$136,500,000 |
