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The American Institute of Architects and Mayor Menino Select “Boston’s Greenest”
Buildings exemplify excellence in sustainable design principles
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For Immediate Release |
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Washington, D.C., May 16,
2008 — To celebrate Boston, the host city of the American Institute of
Architects’ (AIA) 2008 Convention, and its commitment to
sustainable design, the AIA partnered with Mayor Thomas M. Menino
to select Boston’s “greenest” buildings. The AIA,
the Boston Society of Architects (BSA) and City representatives
identified a cross-section of building types and uses that
represent the diversity of green buildings in Boston. Mayor Menino
announced “Boston’s Greenest” today during a
ceremony at Boston Children’s Museum, which is one of 12
buildings selected for the honor. He was joined by Lou Cassagrande,
President and CEO of Boston Children's Museum and Christine
McEntee, CEO of AIA.
Boston’s Greenest program celebrates projects that make a
positive contribution to their communities and reduce environmental
impacts through strategies such as reuse of existing structures,
energy and water conservation and the use of sustainable or
renewable construction materials. The announcement follows on Mayor
Menino’s leadership in the green building policy area, where
the City of Boston is nationally recognized as the first major city
in the U.S. to require adherence to green building standards in the
zoning review process (Article 37 of the Boston Zoning Code).
“Boston will continue to be at the forefront of the green
building movement,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “Green
buildings are not only good for our environment and the health of
occupants, but they significantly reduce operating costs and that
is good for the bottom line.”
The Boston’s Greenest list includes buildings that are
certified by the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED â) and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's Energy Star Program. Signature historic
preservation projects that have built in sustainability strategies
through energy retrofits, procurement and the operations of the
facility also have been selected.
The logo for the AIA’s “Walk the Walk” sustainable
design campaign, a green footprint, will be placed outside of the
selected buildings to represent the AIA’s mission of reducing
fossil fuel consumption and achieving carbon neutrality.
“We are pleased to partner with the Mayor Menino and his
office to honor these buildings for their commitment to sustainable
design and eco-friendly practices,” said Christine McEntee,
Executive Vice President and CEO of the AIA. “These buildings
have been spotlighted because they raise public awareness about
reducing energy consumption in buildings, which is a critical step
in lowering greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
Our hope is that existing structures and buildings under new
construction follow in the footsteps of Boston’s
Greenest.”
”Boston’s Greenest” (listed in
alphabetical order):
Boston Children’s Museum
Architects: Cambridge Seven Associates
Boston Children’s Museum has made a major commitment to green
design and has integrated energy efficient practices that have
obtained the Museum a U.S. Building Council’s LEED Gold
certification. The Museum selected materials that represent its
commitment to the environment, incorporating up to 25 percent of
recycled materials and 20 percent of locally manufactured or
harvested materials. In addition, applicable materials used in the
project are certified low-emitting materials to ensure the Museum
maintains a high level of air quality for its visitors.
Carl J. and Ruth Shapiro Center
Architects: Cannon Architects
The Shapiro Cardio Vascular Center at Brigham and
Women’s Hospital features eco-friendly construction materials.
This facility is likened to a “healing garden” for
patients due to large windows that allow natural light, a white
roof to deflect heat and a ventilation system designed to reduce
the build up of latex allergens in ceiling spaces.
EpiCenter, Artists for Humanity
Architects: Arrowstreet Inc.
The first Platinum LEED Certified building in Boston, the EpiCenter
is a simple, functional building that achieves the highest levels
of sustainability in a cost-effective manner. Rainwater collected
from the roof is channeled through a transparent drain pipe which
runs through the gallery into a holding tank to serve the
irrigation needs of the grassy recessed courtyard. Concentrated
windows on the south side of the building provides for the deep
penetration of warming sunlight in the winter. Large floor-to-floor
heights, 12 and 18 feet, allow daylight to penetrate deep into the
building, which also utilizes a no refrigerant-based cooling
system.
The George Robert White Environmental Conservation Center
at Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center
Architects: ICON Architecture and Steven Winters and
Associates
The George Robert White Environmental Conservation Center at Mass
Audubon’s Boston Nature Center is designed, constructed, and
maintained in a manner that protects and conserves the natural
environment. The building employs renewable energy technologies
such as geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaic shingles, and a solar
hot water system to maximize energy efficiency. Where possible, the
building uses environmentally-sound materials such as wood from
certified sustainably-harvested forests, as well as products with
recycled content, and local sources including Roxbury
Puddingstone.
Fenway Park
Architects: Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, Inc.
Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, features
sustainable design aspects including a sand filtration layer that
moderates runoff into the city storm drains. When designing, the
grounds crews used less-toxic chemicals to maintain the field,
reused bricks and recycled construction waste. Additionally,
architects are working to convert to fluorescent lighting, adding
sensor-controlled fixtures, and installing low-flow plumbing.
Harvard Business School - Hamilton Hall
Architects: Finegold Alexander + Associates, Inc.
Hamilton Hall is part of Harvard’s Green Campus Initiative, an
institute wide plan to address campus sustainability through the
management of building design, construction, renovation,
procurement, landscape, energy, water, waste, emissions,
transportation, human health and productivity. To build Hamilton
Hall, Harvard Business School reused an existing structure,
specifying components manufactured from rapidly renewable sources
– including interior finishes made from recycled material and
through replacement of all existing windows with new energy
efficient models.
John Hancock Financial Headquarters – 601 Congress
Street
Architects: Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM)
Developed, owned and managed by Manulife Financial, 601 Congress
opened in 2004 as the new headquarters for Manulife’s U.S.
subsidiary, John Hancock Financial and was one of the first
buildings in North America to implement a state-of-the-art
double-skin window system, an important precedent in "greening"
commercial buildings. The building also features a landscaped
“green” rooftop which helps to insulate the building and
manage storm water-run-off. 601 Congress was LEED certified in 2006
and is also an EPA Energy Star building.
Logan International Airport - Terminal A
Architects: HOK Inc.
Logan's Terminal A is the first air terminal in the world to earn
LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Its design
and construction incorporates many environmentally- friendly
elements including: special storm water filtration devices, roofing
membranes to reflect heat from the building and limit the heat
island effect, drip irrigation and special low-e glass to reflect
heat away from the windows and minimize heat loss in the
winter.
The Lenox Hotel
Architects: Lucias Boomer
Selected as the top urban hotel in the world on Conde Nast
Traveler’s Annual Green List, The Lenox Hotel’s main
initiative is to offset 100 percent of the carbon emissions
resulting from all of its electricity usage. The Lenox was also the
first US hotel to offer guests the towel and linen reuse option.
The Lenox uses healthy cleaners, air fresheners and paints to
improve the hotel’s indoor air quality and its energy
efficient windows keep rooms quiet and comfortable.
Macallen Building
Architects: Office dA Inc. and Burt Hill Inc.
The 140-unit condominium is a conscious and deliberate effort by
both client/developer and the architectural and engineering team to
incorporate sustainable design measures. It utilizes green design
as a way of marketing a lifestyle and concern for the environment.
Located in South Boston, the building has achieved LEED Gold
certification. Some of the green building features include
innovative technologies that will save more than 600,000 gallons of
water annually while consuming 30 percent less electricity than a
conventional building.
One Beacon Street
Architects: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
One Beacon Street is the first existing office building in Boston
to receive LEED Certification. The building was awarded LEED at the
Silver level earlier in 2008. One Beacon Street also is an Energy
Star building. The Landlord has invested $500,000 in various green
initiatives in the last two years, including upgrades to energy
efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems, water conservation
measures, green cleaning, and educational programs. The building
also has an aggressive recycling program and recycles approximately
55 percent of all building waste.
WGBH Headquarters Building
Architects: Polshek Partnership
Public broadcaster WGBH’s new studio complex incorporates
energy conservation measures throughout the facility. Constructed
of 90 percent recycled steel, the new LEED-certified studio complex
features motion-sensitive office lighting, UV-filtering glass and
motorized sunshades on windows to help conserve energy, while
waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets enable WGBH to decrease
its water consumption by as much as 30 percent. A “green
roof” on a portion of the building’s south side utilizes
plants and vegetation to help insulate the building in the winter
and cool it in warmer months. Solar panels provide a total of 100KW
of solar power.
About The American Institute of
Architects
For 150 years, members of The American Institute of Architects have
worked with each other and their communities to create more
valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and
cityscapes. AIA members have access to the right people, knowledge,
and tools to create better design, and through such resources and
access, they help clients and communities make their visions real.
www.aia.org
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