High-Profile: September 2023

INDUSTRY EXPERT ARTICLES:

September 2023

Focus: Educational Facilities

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Little Seeds, Big Potential: Dacon Completes 88 Acres’ Facility by Lauren Nowicki

Marr Scaffolds Boston’s Historic 26 Court Street Building

Suffolk Hosts Girl Scouts for Day of Inspiration and Learning

NEI General Contracting Completes Construction on its New Office Building

Boylston Properties Increases New Deal Volume, Hires DeSantis

Ribbon Cut for Adaptive Playground in New Hampshire

Renovation Project Provides Home for New Magnet School

FEATURING: An interview with Diana Fernandez Bibeau and Seth Riseman of BPDA page 15

JCJ Architecture designed the new Bullard-Havens Technical High School in Bridgeport, Conn. with a focus on energy-effciency. When completed, the new 215,000sf school will operate with net zero carbon emissions. / Full story page 18

Michael Tyre 16 Marc Perras

Bill Idarola

Kimberley Rinaldi

Christian Strom

Brian Stone

Jacqueline A. Falla

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#1...again!

PUBLISHER: Anastasia Barnes

EDITOR: Emily Langner

CONSULTING EDITORS: Ralph Barnes and Marion Barnes

ART DIRECTOR: Yvonne Lauzière, Stark Creative VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES: Rod Poe

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Mark Kelly

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, CONNECTICUT: Mia Pernice

FOUNDERS: Michael and Kathy Barnes

Bullard-Havens Technical HS in Bridgeport, Conn.

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Publisher’s Message

Anastasia Barnes

Fall is in the air! Students are headed back to school, and it’s time again for our annual Education issue! The pages of this month’s edition are packed full of interesting and innovative education projects underway all throughout New England, and unique perspectives highlighting the latest trends and insights when designing K-12 schools and institutions of higher education.

On page 18, Brian Stone of JCJ Architecture highlights two school projects that are prioritizing sustainability, which will allow both buildings, upon completion, to operate with net zero carbon emissions. Stone says, ”The design of both schools will serve as a resource for teaching students about sustainable design,” and “students enrolled in sustainable architecture, electrical, and plumbing and heating programs will be able to see high-performance systems in place to learn about how they function and their component parts.” What a cool way to bring these design principles to the next generation. The future is green!

SAVE the DATE: September 20

our environment in a better way while also preserving Boston’s historic character and the elements that make the city so unique. Read the interview on page 15.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Diana Fernandez Bibeau and Seth Riseman of the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) about the city’s mission to encourage unique and innovative design in Boston and its priority on promoting sustainable development. They share the ways in which the BPDA is ensuring that the city’s projects are serving our communities and

We at High-Profle Media Group are gearing up for our frst in-person panel featuring powerhouse women leaders from the industry. It will take place on Sept. 20 at 8:00 a.m. at Winthrop Center in Boston. We’re excited that Amanda G. Strong, director-asset management for MITIMCo, MIT’s Investment Management Company, has also joined the panel. Be sure to register for the event, Trends Impacting Commercial Real Estate: Insights from Women Leaders in the Industry, at https://www. high-profle.com/insights-on-trends-inreal-estate/.

Our next issue will have a focus on

Corporate and Interiors, so if you have clients in the corporate sector, or have news to share on a recent interiors project or renovation, we want to hear about it. The issue will also have a spotlight on Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) in the AEC industry so be sure to share with us your perspectives or what your frm is doing to further these principles in your workplace or community. The deadline for the October issue is Sept. 22.

Enjoy the read!

Millennium Tower Boston, MA

Up-Front Manzo Freeman Acquires The Landing at Chelmsford Mills

Chelmsford, MA – Manzo Freeman Development (MFD), a privately-owned commercial real estate frm, announced it has acquired The Landing at Chelmsford Mills for $14.85 million from Chelmsford Holdings.

Located at 51 Middlesex St. #125 in North Chelmsford, the property includes three buildings totaling 285,000 GSF. This is the ffth mill property in MFD’s portfolio, joining The Landing at Hudson Mills in Hudson, Mass.; The Landing at Everett Mills in Lawrence, Mass.; The Landing at One Chestnut in Nashua, N.H.; and the Walpole Business Center in Walpole, Mass. To date, MFD manages almost two million sq. ft. of frst-class space across fve properties at valueadded rates in New England.

“Acquiring our ffth classic mill building in New England marks another signifcant step in our journey as property owners and developers. These properties hold a unique charm that resonates with us and our vision, and we are proud to preserve these historic structures,” said Michael K. Manzo, managing partner and president. “The synergy between nostalgia and progress is at the core of

our approach. By having the vision and creativity to invest in and improve these buildings, we hope to attract a wide mix of businesses to create a diverse and supportive commercial community while allowing the buildings to fourish for another generation.”

Built in 1890 by the U.S.W.

Corporation as a wool combing mill called Silesia Mills, the buildings were renovated in 1970. Chelmsford Mills features 13-14-foot-high ceilings, brick and beam interiors, original wood foors, large windows delivering ample natural light, solar arrays, and expansive surface parking.

Tenants at MFD properties include conventional offce, retail and restaurant, health and wellness, research and development, light manufacturing, and warehousing and distribution, among others. At the date of the acquisition at the end of June, 97% of the building was leased. MFD plans to upgrade the three buildings with new signage and entrances as well as improvements to common areas, exterior grounds and landscaping, and parking lots. New on-site food and beverage establishments will be added to serve tenants and the surrounding community. The property is less than an hour from Boston, is located on the Lowell bus line, and has convenient access to Route 3 and I-495.

The Landing at Chelmsford Mills

High-Profile: Up-Front

Gladstone Elementary School Breaks Ground in Cranston

Cranston, RI – Finegold Alexander

Architects announced it celebrated the groundbreaking of the new ground-up Gladstone Elementary School on July 20.

Cranston Superintendent of Schools

Jeannine Nota-Masse; Mayor Kenneth Hopkins; School Committee Chairperson, Citywide, Michael Trafcante; School Committee Clerk Domenic Fusco; Cranston City Council Representative John Donegan; and RI Dept. of Education’s Director of the School Building Authority, Mario Carreno, spoke at the event, as well as the Gladstone administrative team, Principal Amy Vachon and Assistant Principal Amy Corso-Latos.

Finegold Alexander has worked closely with the City of Cranston and Cranston Public Schools to design the new 100,000sf facility that will consolidate both Gladstone and Arlington Elementary Schools, educating roughly 798 students in grades K-5. The design focuses on reinventing the learning environment in an innovative way.

Rather than lining classrooms along a central corridor, the building will be arranged with six Learning Communities within 3+ stories. Learning Communities are each designed as single suites of interconnected rooms. Curiosity Centers

with purpose-built music, art, library, and maker spaces serve to connect the Learning Communities on each foor. On the frst foor, the social heart and cafetorium will be designed to serve as a safe and secure space for the community. Gathering platforms will be located within the building, offering opportunities for informal seating and social interactions for students, teachers, and parents.

Learning extends beyond the building enclosure to the larger site. Three outdoor

Gladstone Elementary School groundbreaking learning areas, multiple playgrounds, playing felds, and a community garden are designed to encourage outdoor activities. Finegold Alexander’s design will create a compact building footprint and promote energy effciency, leveraging the existing site topography, and optimize the building’s solar orientation to maximize natural daylight and views for both educators and students.

The project is projected to be completed in the summer of 2025.

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Ground Broken on Tech High School

Bridgeport, CT – The Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), Gilbane Building Company, and JCJ Architecture recently celebrated the offcial groundbreaking for the new Bullard Havens Technical High School.

Designed by JCJ, the new 215,000sf school will be built on the existing 24-acre site in multiple phases over a 41-month schedule to accommodate existing operations. Building features include a new classroom/lab space, feld house, theory rooms, new athletic felds, a gymnasium to accommodate the entire student body, and a ftness center.

The school will be constructed adjacent to the existing high school, which will remain fully operational and accessible by vehicles and pedestrians during construction. Upon occupancy of the new high school, the existing vacated school facility will be demolished to allow for development of new driveways, parking areas, and landscaped areas.

The new building will serve approximately 900 students in grades 9-12 and accommodate 13 separate shop programs, including Automotive Technology, Carpentry, Criminal Justice & Protective Services, Culinary Arts, Electrical, Graphic Design, Hairdressing & Cosmetology, Health Technology, Information Technology,

Stamps Highlight Engineering, Architecture

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Bullard-Havens Technical High School is designed to be one of the most energy-effcient technical high schools in the state system. Energy effcient features include a highly insulated building envelope, geothermal well feld with ground water source heat pumps, energy recovery ventilation, and a solar installation.

The new high school is set for completion in 2027.

Portland, CT – The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has issued four new Presorted First-Class Mail stamps featuring photographs of bridges throughout the U.S.

The Bridges stamps are intended for business mail users and are sold in selfadhesive coils of 3,000 and 10,000. Use of these stamps requires a special permit and a minimum quantity of 500 letters.

The stamp art features four bridges completed between 1938 and 2022: the multi-span steel through arch Arrigoni

Bridge connecting the Connecticut municipalities of Middletown and Portland; the S-curved cable-stayed Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge between Council Bluffs, Iowa and Omaha, Neb.; the steel truss Skydance Bridge topped by a public sculpture in Oklahoma City; and the basket-handle twin arch Iowa-Illinois Memorial Bridge connecting Bettendorf, Iowa and Moline, Ill.

Ethel Kessler, an art director for the USPS, used existing photographs to design the stamps.

Bullard-Havens Technical High School is designed to be one of the most energy-effcient technical high schools in the state system.

Construction Begins on 32,000sf Multifamily Development in Hull

Plymouth, MA – Construction management frm ReyCon announced it has started work on the construction of a new 32,000sf multi-family apartment community on Nantasket Beach in Hull, in partnership with Newton-based developer, Enrique Darer. ReyCon was hired by Darer to provide all pre-construction and construction management services.

Located across from the beach and 12 miles south of Boston, the “Residences at the Aquarium” will feature 23 upscale multi-family units. The design from Leavitt Associates will feature foor-to- ceiling windows in each unit, with Atlantic Ocean views and modern amenities throughout. The development will also feature below grade parking and new landscaping. The 3-story residences will be within walking distance to the beachfront shops, bars and restaurants of Nantasket Beach.

“We’re excited to collaborate with Enrique and the team at Leavitt Associates on this one-of-a-kind project that will add new dimension and offerings to the iconic Nantasket Beach area,” said ReyCon president, Michael Reynolds.

Rendering of Residences at the Aquarium

Marcus Partners Sells Boston Metro Logistics Portfolio for $167M

Boston – Marcus Partners announced the sale of its Boston Metro Logistics Portfolio, a six-building warehouse/ distribution portfolio located in Greater Boston, for $167 million. The sale includes 176, 206 and 210 Grove Street in Franklin; 17 Gilmore in Sutton; 1 First Avenue in Peabody; and 57 Littlefeld Street in Avon, Mass.

“Our frm’s ability to create value through multiple channels – leasing, ground-up development, and renovation of existing assets within the portfolio –resulted in the delivery of a strong return for our investors in the face of a challenging capital markets environment,” said Ryan McDonough, co-chief investment offcer at Marcus Partners.

Marcus Partners assembled the portfolio through a series of transactions between 2019-2021. It included the development of a 150,000sf, Class A industrial facility at 206 Grove Street in Franklin that has been fully leased to a multinational shipping & receiving and supply chain management company on a long-term basis. And, in collaboration with local offcials, Marcus Partners funded an effort to secure a $2.2 million MassWorks grant that will fund signifcant roadway improvements for the town of Franklin.

The development site was created by combining land area from two adjacent

properties (210 and 176 Grove Street) that were acquired through separate transactions.

CBRE Executive Vice Presidents Chris Skeffngton and Scott Dragos, and Senior Vice President Roy Sandeman of

the frm’s Boston Capital Markets Group represented the seller, Marcus Partners, and procured the buyer.

206 Grove Street in Franklin, Mass.

College of the Holy Cross Prior Performing Arts Center • Worcester, MA

Photo Courtesy of Iwaan Baan

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Meeting Street Early Childhood Center • Providence, RI

UCONN Science 1 • Storrs, CT

Photo Courtesy of Robert Benson Photography

High-Profile: Up-Front

Boylston Properties Increases New Deal Volume, Hires DeSantis

Boston – Boylston Properties announced that it is increasing its new deal volume, and that Michela DeSantis joined the team earlier in 2023 as senior development manager.

DeSantis initiates and manages new development opportunities in the Greater Boston area for Boylston, overseeing all aspects of new development, from site acquisition through project stabilization, including underwriting, entitlements, design and oversight of construction and leasing. Prior to joining Boylston, she was the senior director of development at AvalonBay Communities, Inc., where she oversaw and managed the new development of more than 1,000 apartment homes throughout Massachusetts.

“As we ramp up new multifamily development, Michela hit the ground running and brings a wide set of skills and expertise to our newest projects in and around Boston,” said Andrew Copelotti, principal at Boylston Properties. “The housing crisis in our region is dire, and we believe increasing supply is one of the only ways we can enact change in the short term. Michela’s local knowledge and understanding of permitting, design, and community outreach, in addition to her broad development experience has made us that much more effective this year. We’re thrilled she joined our team

and our mission, and look forward to bringing more transit-orientated housing product to the region as soon as possible.”

DeSantis will take the lead on several projects, representing a development pipeline of more than $300 million. She joined Boylston Properties as the frm delivered Arsenal Yards earlier this year, a nearly $1 billion investment that transformed the Arsenal Corridor in the East End of Watertown.

“Michela is joining at the perfect time as a handful of our developments from the past 10+ years hit stabilization, and

we constantly explore new acquisition and ground-up opportunities,” said Mark Deschenes, president of Boylston Properties. “Our development thesis is that plenty of underutilized acreage exists in our housing-starved region, often hiding behind abandoned or unkept industrial plots and facilities, and our investment platform has succeeded in unlocking value, economic vitality, and housing stock for these communities.”

“It’s been great ramping up at Boylston Properties this year, and I couldn’t be happier to join a like-minded team, eager to uncover and capitalize on opportunities for multifamily development in the area,” said DeSantis. “This is a critical time for Greater Boston in terms of housing creation, and we are well positioned to make an impact with our short-term pipeline and long-term goals.”

Starkweather & Shepley Opens Office

Newport, RI – Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Brokerage Inc. (S&S) announced the opening of its newest offce on Bellevue Avenue in Newport.

Representatives of the company say their presence at the new location will allow for extended business, including

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Starkweather & Shepley Insurance now has 14 offce locations across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Florida.

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Michela DeSantis

Envisioning the Future of Boston’s Built Environment

An Interview with Diana Fernandez Bibeau and Seth Riseman of the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA)

Anastasia Barnes recently interviewed Diana Fernandez Bibeau, PLA, ASLA, deputy chief of urban design, and Seth Riseman, deputy director of design review at the Boston Planning & Development Agency about the city’s mission to encourage unique and innovative design in Boston, its priority on promoting sustainable development, and how the agency’s initiatives will help shape individual building projects through design review required through Article 80 and Zoning Board of Appeal processes.

Anastasia Barnes: How does Boston’s urban design balance historical character with modern commercial construction needs?

Diana Fernandez Bibeau: The way I think about our city and the mission that we’re driving forward is that what makes Boston so unique is that it is a layering of histories that have come together over time. There isn’t one narrative that defnes what Boston is today and that’s certainly not the way in which we see it in the future, so there is space for the glass in buildings in the Seaport and there’s space for the historic row houses in Beacon Hill, and there’s also room to imagine what’s coming next. I think what’s so exciting about this particular moment for us is that it is a way in which we together as a city can start to shape that next design aesthetic that starts to refect the city’s ideals and values at this moment in time. We get to craft those conversations and ask those questions of our architecture, engineering, and construction industry to see – what is the market yielding, how are innovations in the building code shaping the way in which we think about what that typology could be, and how architecture and design can serve our communities and our environment in a better way. For us, it’s about thinking about what that next layer of history is that we’re adding to our city that helps to make it as unique and diverse as it is.

AB: What are the latest trends in commercial construction design that align with the city’s aesthetic and functionality?

Seth Riseman: We are not a homogenous city, we are a diverse city and there is room for diversity of expression throughout the city in the built environment. With this new focus on design-centric and

design-focused building, we are open to and supportive of many new ideas of how to engage in the urban environment aesthetically, and I think it’s more also about how buildings meet the urban environment, meet the street, and how they respond to pedestrians rather than any particular style.

AB: How is sustainability being integrated into both the preservation of existing buildings and in new construction to accomplish Boston’s climate goals?

DB: There’s some really interesting programs that we’re leading here at the city and that are also supported by the state that are looking at retrofts with electric that allow for the ease of retroftting existing buildings. There are also some new innovations within our building code to allow for new construction methods and systems that make it a lot easier to think about the sensitivities related to costs of some of those retrofts. The goal is to approach it on a site by site basis and develop a toolkit to provide for the fexibility needed with historic character as unique as ours.

SR:: I think resiliency and sustainability are some of the most signifcant design challenges we have in this generation and for this city at this time and so all departments within the city are contributing to this toolkit that we are creating in order to respond to this challenge. Some of that will involve retroft and renovation of existing buildings with new and innovative

technologies and approaches, and some involve new construction and working with passive house and other cutting edge ways to signifcantly reduce our carbon

footprint and reduce buildings’ impact on the environment.

AB: How does your team promote innovative yet compliant solutions in commercial construction design?

DB: We’re trying to bring issues to the forefront early; we’re trying to fag these issues early to bring a level of rigor and technical capacity to this work that allows us to work in tandem with the architecture, engineering, and construction industries to innovate in that space, and we’re bringing to bear that capacity in a way where we’re seeing some great results. We are working on the Boston Design Vision which is intended to defne that next design vocabulary that we want to see in our city, and that’s a very robust community process that is helping to guide a lot of the work that we’re doing both on the design review front and within our planning initiatives.

Diana Fernandez Bibeau Seth Riseman

Educational Facilities

Design for Higher Education: Synergizing Vision and Identity

By Michael Tyre

Choosing a college is a daunting yet thrilling rite of passage for many. Quinnipiac University wants to let prospective students know the school’s opportunities will allow them to reach for the stars..

The new Admissions Center, with its dramatic, luminous, “starry night” perforated ceiling and balcony overhang, makes it a campus beacon on the main quad, engaging users of the space and the broader campus. The Amenta Emma design team listened carefully to stakeholders about their vision for the space and developed a transformative frst-foor renovation to an existing campus building that is both digital and immersive.

The space is divided into three distinct areas: reception, lounge, and

private meeting areas, complemented by a new outdoor patio that fronts the main quad. The lounge – the spatial and experiential heart of the admissions center – is an open, fexible space that can easily be reprogrammed. It is defned by the luminous ceiling and a 52-footlong digital display for storytelling and messaging to engage potential students. A variety of casual and welcoming furnishings populate the lounge and afford the opportunity to utilize the room

Quinnipiac University’s Admissions Center

for group and individual events.

The center’s showstopper, unquestionably, is the perforated ceiling, which extends from inside the lounge to cover and weatherproof an inviting outdoor patio. Amenta Emma designers thought an illuminated ceiling was the right call, as it has a digital feel and looks techy and modern. Designers then worked out the ceiling’s different densities and perforation patterns to accomplish a gradient that begins brightly and fades to solid.

Additional design features that reinforce the experiential and expressive themes Quinnipiac sought to convey are branding elements – graphics, historical timelines, and an “Instagram wall” – developed in collaboration with

the university’s marketing group. The new glass facade opens the building to dramatic views of the quad, while signifcantly improving daylight access to the space and broadcasting dynamic digital content to the campus beyond. Sustainability features include improved energy effciency and the use of interior fnishes to promote occupant health and well-being.

The design captures the university’s aspirations, not only to accommodate a variety of visitor groups, but to have a fexible platform to express their institutional identity and values through design.

Michael Tyre, AIA, LEED AP is a principal in Amenta Emma’s Higher Education studio.

The interior of the admissions center lounge has a variety of casual and welcoming furnishings to populate the lounge and affords the opportunity to utilize the room.

Brennan Consulting Underway on Coakley Middle School Project

Norwood, MA – Brennan Consulting is performing construction layout and survey services for one of its latest education projects with W.T. Rich and Ai3 Architects.

To address aging facilities and district overcrowding, the Coakley Middle School replacement project is designed as a new 187,840sf, four-story structure and will be host to grades 5-8. The new building has a capacity of 1,070 students, ability to fex to 1,250 students and is necessary due to insuffciencies of the existing middle school. District overcrowding is addressed as well by consolidating 5th grade from fve elementary buildings into the new Coakley model.

The $150 million construction by W.T. Rich began in June, has a delivery expected for fall of 2025, and demolition of the existing building and site work will continue into the summer of 2026. Shared core spaces are separate from the learning neighborhoods in a dynamic building design. A 600-seat auditorium, upper and lower school commons, projectbased learning and fex classrooms for contemporary educational needs, STEAM labs, and an adaptive gymnasium are embraced in the programming. Several key innovative site components are included such as outdoor learning and dining, bioswales, nature classrooms and a turf athletic feld to enhance learning

and a 21st century education.

New school projects also underway at Brennan include Surprenant Hall and Herbert Auditorium Renovations at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester for $17.4 million with Bond Brothers and the $112 million David Prouty High School in Spencer with Fontaine Brothers. Services provided on these and Coakley Middle include preconstruction/existing conditions surveys; cross-section & volume surveys; monitoring wells – layout & location; precise deformation monitoring; line & grade; pile driving layout; foundation layout; anchor bolt/column layout; sites, buildings, roads & bridges; lines & structures; utility location & layout; quantity take offs; topographic & detail surveys; traverse/horizontal control; vertical control; and as built/as constructed surveys.

Renderings courtesy of Ai3 Architects

Empowering Education through Sustainable High School Design

By Brian Stone

With the growing popularity of career technical education (CTE) programs and the increasing need for energy and resource conscious facilities, greater specialization of systems and spaces is needed when designing new high schools. JCJ Architecture is seeing this across many projects, with the following two projects serving as case studies.

Currently under construction in Bridgeport, Conn., the new BullardHavens Technical High School will feature 13 vocational programs within the 215,000sf building. In accordance with the Governor’s Council on Climate Change, all state-owned facilities must lead by example through reduced energy usage and carbon emissions. To this end, 81% of the building is served by a geothermal energy heating and cooling system using high effciency water to water source heat pumps. Electric rooftop air handling units serving a network of variable air volume (VAV) units provide ventilation

for this system. The remaining 19% of the building contains six industrial vocational shop suites served by energy recovery ventilation (ERV) and variable refrigerant fow (VRF) heat pump systems. These all-electric system selections result in a building with net zero carbon emissions and signifcantly lower projected energy usage than the ASHRAE Standard 90.1 baseline. Post-construction installed photovoltaic panel arrays will create onsite renewable energy production, further contributing to the project’s sustainable design goals.

The new Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, located in Haverhill, Mass., is currently in its

schematic design phase. The 380,000sf building will house 21 vocational programs. The project team conducted a life cycle cost analysis to consider mechanical system options. Factoring in energy usage and source, installation and operating costs, tax incentives, and other potential grants through the Mass Save program and the federal Infation Reduction Act, they were able to make an informed decision to use a geothermal heat pump system for heating and cooling with a VAV displacement system for ventilation. Similar to Bullard-Havens, this fossil-fuel free system will allow the new Whittier building to operate with net zero carbon emissions.

Let AEM & CTC provide high-performance buildings that foster student success, while gaining control of energy consumption and lowering costs.

The design of both schools will serve as a resource for teaching students about sustainable design. Students enrolled in sustainable architecture, electrical, and plumbing and heating programs will be able to see high-performance systems in place to learn about how they function and their component parts. The data provided by the Building Management Systems will provide a real world understanding of energy usage and how it varies by time of day and throughout the year. Beyond training within the shop spaces, each school teaches hands-on experience across multiple trades by building a residential scale wood structure that can be outftted with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Bullard-Havens’ E-House will even feature a dedicated geothermal well for the students to practice installing and maintaining these net zero carbon systems.

The new Bullard-Havens Technical High School will be ready for occupancy in 2025 and will be a benchmark for sustainable technical school design in Connecticut. Employing similar strategies for the Whittier project will allow that school to follow the same successful path to welcoming students in 2027.

Brian Stone, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, MCPPO is associate/senior project architect at JCJ Architecture.

Bullard Havens Technical High School

Connolly Brothers Completes Project for New England Academy

Marshfeld, MA – Connolly Brothers, Inc. announces that it has completed construction on New England Academy’s (NEA) new South Shore campus at 51 Commerce Way in Marshfeld.

NEA is a private special education school devoted to providing students in grades 7-12 with the academic challenge and clinical support they need to succeed in school. The 28,055sf campus building complements the school’s 40,000sf North Shore campus in Beverly’s Cherry Hill Business Park. Using the design-build

model, Connolly Brothers served as architect and construction manager for both projects.

“Connolly Brothers has been a great partner in helping New England Academy achieve its campus dreams and providing a space where our students can fourish,” said Dr. Ryan Plosker, executive director and founder of NEA, which welcomed its frst class of new students to the Marshfeld campus in August.

Responding to NEA’s needs with

preconstruction services such as site selection, feasibility studies, estimating, permitting, and budgeting, Connolly helped the school in planning, designing, and building the new campus, which features state-of-the-art classrooms, a gymnasium, and an athletic feld. The campus allows NEA to serve more students with social and emotional needs, delivering a challenging academic program within a therapeutic setting.

The project team included BLW Engineers Inc., mechanical, electrical,

and plumbing; Stenbeck & Taylor, Inc., civil engineering; JSN Associates, LLC, structural engineering; and James K. Emmanuel Associates, landscape architecture.

“We were honored to return for New England Academy’s expansion,” said Jay Connolly, president of Connolly Brothers. “Having seen the faculty and staff at NEA in action, it is gratifying to deliver facilities where major progress will occur in so many students’ lives.”

ew ngland Acade y s arshfeld, ass. ca pus Photos by Camille Maren

What To Do with those Mid-Century Buildings on your Campus?

By Marc Perras and Christian Strom

Abysmal light, hazardous materials, arriers to access, du ious fre protection, poor energy performance, dated aesthetics …it’s all so last century. Yet these buildings hold tremendous value for institutions and their students.

Every campus has at least one: the 1960s-era building whose design may or may not be iconic, but which is inevitably tired, often spurned, sometimes decrepit, and occasionally even dangerous. Who wouldn’t be after more than 50 years of hard use, and little attention other than incremental changes or upgrades aimed at keeping things going for another few years?

The albatross factor is real. Institution leaders facing budget shortfalls and declining enrollment among other challenges may wonder if such buildings are worth the effort involved in bringing them up to 21st century standards.

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Accessible addition with theater program as seen from the northeast So Last Century Quinsigamond Community College’s Surprenant Hall and Hebert Auditorium (QCC) is a case in point. The 62,000sf building houses classrooms and an auditorium, and like many of its brethren on campuses across the country, is distinguished mainly by its deferred maintenance and its monotonous, if rhythmic, vertical window pattern accented in gold that marches down the

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otherwise dull four-story brown brick rectangle.

And like many of its counterparts, it has a plethora of accessibility challenges. If you were a student actor who literally broke your leg and was subsequently honored for your performance at the yearend awards ceremony, you’d be unable to accept your award, having no way to get up to the stage. If you were a woman in a wheelchair on the frst foor attending class, you’d be hard-pressed to get to the restroom designated for your gender on the second, as male-female facilities alternate between foors. The list goes on.

Meanwhile, there are long narrow hallways, daylight that corresponds with the aforementioned window patterns rather than human rhythms, wasteful systems, buried asbestos, lead piping, harmful ductwork sealants and no fre protection in about 80% of the building. Yikes.

Maybe just start over? Likely a $100+ million exercise. But renovate, mitigate, innovate? More like $13 million, which includes a 4,000sf addition to the theater. Plus, the environmental value captured by not demolishing the building and constructing a new one, and the cultural value realized by sustaining representation of a rich period in American design and history, cannot be overlooked. (These buildings are the result of huge growth in the college-going population, which doubled between the late 1940s and the 1960s.)

Think Beyond the Code

The fact is, barring a severely dilapidated state, mid-century campus buildings are always worth saving. Getting the most from the investment means one thing: thinking beyond the code. While enhancing safety, and improving access and effciency make for a more safe, cost-effective and comfortable building, it’s making them a place where people want to be that gives buildings maximum staying power.

That’s our job as designers: to fnd and leverage every opportunity presented by each code requirement and put them together in a way that makes the experience of the building the best it can be, inside and out. Not just safe, but attractive. Not just comfortable, but inviting. Not just effcient, but enduring. Intuitive and unifed. Imaginative and interesting. Practical and uplifting. These are the qualities that draw people in and foster their allegiance.

We love breathing new life into these buildings even though they’re often nightmarish in terms of the condition they’ve fallen into, or started with for that matter. These buildings at QCC presented among the most complicated accessibility challenges we’ve encountered in more than 20 years of practice; in particular, the bathroom renovation was a Swiss watch of clearances.

To succeed means working hand in hand with the consultants charged with so much of the work of revival. The more we understand the challenges and opportunities they face, the better ideas we can bring to the table, whether it’s graciously resolving the challenge of turning one restroom into two, or the best way to make a modest entry court both accessible and engaging.

Figuring out how to work with the logic of the old building while making it work for the next 50 years is a fun challenge for Jones. While students and educators at QCC will have to wait until fall 2024 to enjoy the results, they’ll experience as little disruption as possible thanks to smart phasing and planning by construction manager Bond Building Construction.

Marc Perras, AIA is associate principal, and Christian Strom, AIA is associate at Jones Architecture.

Colantonio Renovates Richard DeCristofaro Learning Center

Quincy, MA – Colantonio announced it is renovating an existing facility in Quincy and converting it into a specialized school for children with autism and learning disabilities.

The frm’s scope of work includes sitework, selective demolition, general construction, and renovations on the Richard DeCristofaro Learning Center. Once done, the facility will house art, music, sensory, physical, and occupational therapy spaces; a life skills room designed as a mini-apartment with washer/dryer, stove, microwave, and oven; a small 3-lane, indoor track for motor skills development; and two multipurpose rooms. Each classroom will house an ADA-compliant bathroom (some with bidets).

The building will include childfriendly exterior graphics of whales, dolphins, turtles and other sea life as well as a soothing interior color palette and place-making graphics that depict different natural settings, including a water world, a rainforest, and representations of the four seasons.

Colantonio’s renovation is expected to conclude this fall. Project partners include PCA360 and Wessling Architects.

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Construction is in progress on the Richard DeCristofaro Learning Center.

Rendering of Richard DeCristofaro Learning Center

College Campuses and the Power of Place

By Jacqueline A. Falla

The worn marble treads of the stairs in the Campus Academic building, situated on the quad, central to every freshman’s initiation into higher learning. The red door and Corinthian columns that can be spied through the wrought iron gates and the trees that line the drive. Are they oak, maple, magnolia? You would remember. The smell of the changing seasons, the books in the library stacks, the caw of the crow that perches outside your dormitory window, just as the tower bells begin ringing, signaling it’s time to rise and shine. You’ll miss that wake-up call, and all the other sensory cues that compelled you to explore, discover, engage, and learn.

This is the power of place. It’s somatic – we feel it in our body. It is cerebral – our synapses are fring, building, memorizing. Together, body and mind, thoughts and experiences, the heightened awareness of one’s senses contribute to our cognition.

The cost of a college education by most standards is extraordinarily high. Financial considerations aside, the buildings and grounds, while costly to maintain, are not what drives tuition. The question at hand is can society afford the loss of another “place” that fosters a sense of community? A place that supports learning, calls to you to touch the cool limestone walls, and run your fngers over the faces of the mascaron ornaments, and ask who are you? What is your purpose? What is mine? It is through this discovery that we attach, feel a sense of belonging, and ultimately a desire to care for the place; to watch over it like it was a family member, an essential component of community.

Whether you call it genius loci – the spirit of place, feng shui, or believe as the Native Americans that the material and the spiritual were a unifed realm, sprit of place is all around us. It is embedded in the walls of our institutions and appears in our bodies as intuition.

Under that sky, on that hallowed ground, surrounded by buildings layered in history go the curious minds and bodies as they gather the most important skills for learning: agency, collaboration, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Who among us could argue that seeking meaning, and acting with purpose, doesn’t have value?

As I stroll the city streets of Boston and make my way into Wentworth’s Beatty Hall to observe last year’s renovation, or the astounding transformation of the MIT Student Center; the Severance Hall Residential Complex at Wellesley College, home to the “Crows Nest;” the LGBTQ Center at Northeastern; Connell House at Harvard Business School; and the labs at Tufts University which make

me think of Jumbo the elephant and P. T. Barnum, I feel a sense of connection and stewardship to these buildings and places. I feel the collective energy, passion, desire, and hope that past and future generations will bring. It’s a powerful feeling indeed. Jacqueline A. Falla serves as a member of Elaine Construction’s Leadership Team as director of client services.

Renovation Project Provides Home for New Magnet School

Bristol, CT – QA+M Architecture served as project architect on the Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School (Bristol AIMS), a community-selected, grades 6-12 school for visual and performing arts aimed at preparing students for careers in related areas, including at ESPN, located in Bristol.

The City of Bristol chose the former 1923 Memorial Boulevard School, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as the home of the new Bristol AIMS school. The original school included an indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, and outdoor athletic felds. The school also housed a professionalgrade theater with stage, fy space, and over 900 seats.

During design, extensive forensic and hazmat investigations helped to undercover existing conditions early on in construction that required mortar injection and hand patching of existing concrete beams. Performing these investigations made it possible to identify the cost impact and avoid a major fnancial pitfall. Great care was taken in restoring and refurbishing building details, including cast stone and brick masonry, glazed brick wainscots, and windows that required historically appropriate replacements. A key element was reconfguring the main entrance and creating a new arts plaza at grade level allowing everyone to enter the building at one central location. Environmentally friendly products were utilized

on the project such as recyclable fooring materials throughout the academic wing, as well as features like water bottle flling stations.

The restored 113,000sf building includes contemporary art studios, two sound studios, and a restored 840-seat theater and black box “studio theater,” both with entirely new lighting, rigging, audio, and acoustical systems. A new formal lobby with a ticket booth and concessions area was added as a community resource for professional shows. The “Rockwell Theater,” named for Bristol philanthropist Albert Rockwell, is designed to train students for performance and technical production at a professional level and provide the city

with one of the larger performing arts seating venues in Connecticut. The project has won several awards including the 2023 Connecticut Preservation Award, Merit Award; the 2023 CREW CT Award, Best in Class: Education; the 2023 CBC Project Team Award, Merit Award; and the 2023 AIA Elizabeth Mills Brown Award, Historic Restoration.

Photo by Red Skies Photography Bristol AIMS / Photo by Samara Media

Photo by Red Skies Photography

BHB Wraps on Northeastern and Boston University Projects

Boston – Bald Hill Builders (BHB) announced it recently wrapped up a series of projects at Boston University (BU) and Northeastern University.

BHB recently completed two projects at BU. The frst is the addition of new private offces, a spacious conference room, and lounge on 2 Silber Way. These new spaces are designed to provide the BU staff with modern and conducive

environments for collaboration and focused work, and enhance the overall productivity and cohesion of the university’s community. The company also took on the renovation of BU’s Starbucks, located at 700 Commonwealth Ave. BHB rejuvenated the campus coffee hub, creating a refreshed ambiance that aligns with the university’s contemporary aesthetic while still maintaining the warm

and welcoming atmosphere of the space. At Northeastern University, BHB revamped the Marino Center locker rooms on Huntington Avenue. These updated facilities are designed to offer students a rejuvenated space to unwind and prepare for their busy days. With modern amenities and a renewed aesthetic, the locker rooms are set to contribute positively to the well-being of

the university’s diverse student body. Representatives of BHB say they take immense pride in their role as a contributor to Boston’s academic community, and that the recent projects at both BU and Northeastern University highlight BHB’s commitment to ‘Building a Better Experience’ and its dedication to enhancing the learning environment for students.

O&G Industries Celebrates Over 300 Schools Built, and Counting

Submitted by O&G Industries, Inc.

Celebrating its 100th year in business, O&G Industries, Inc., of Torrington, Conn., has seen tremendous evolution from its early years as a supplier of construction materials and road builder to a nationally recognized industry leader.

In 1961, O&G’s Building Group was established. Its frst job was renovating an elementary school in Bristol, followed by a ground-up build of the 200,000sf Torrington High School. From there, the company completed one school after another, expanding its portfolio quickly.

In 1972, O&G took on its frst construction management job, the Kent School Athletic Complex. The challenging economy of the late ’70s inspired the use of construction management in publicly funded jobs, including schools; the new Forbes School in Torrington was the company’s frst. Over the next decade, O&G successfully delivered more than two dozen separate construction management projects.

O&G has built more than 300 schools –public, independent, and higher education – including more than six million sq. ft. of sustainable, net-zero, and LEED-certifed space. In 2022, O&G completed Buckley Elementary School in Manchester – Connecticut’s frst net-zero public school. According to project engineers, CMTA, the school is on track to be netzero certifed by January 2024. Work is underway on two additional schools in Manchester, both being constructed to meet the same net-zero qualifcations.

O&G’s current roster of projects

Buckley Elementary School includes two of Connecticut’s largest multi-phase high school projects: Farmington High School and Torrington Middle and High School.

The Farmington High School project, designed by TSKP Studio, is a new, 3-story, 236,000sf facility. This 21st-century learning environment will be effcient, compact, and organized in Learning Communities. Each Learning Community comprises classrooms, group break-out spaces, and faculty workrooms.

Program spaces include a multimedia production studio, visual and performing arts, career, technical, and science technology programs.

The new 310,000sf Torrington Middle and High School, designed by SLAM, includes the District’s Central Administrative Offces. Separate entrances and wings for a 3-story middle school and a 4-story high school are connected by a common area on the main level. The administration offces are located on the

fourth foor of the high school wing and will have a separate entrance.

The middle school will feature specialty program environments, including STEM spaces and a computer coding lab that mimics spaces students will encounter in the high school. Classrooms are arranged in learning communities. The high school will include modern spaces that provide hands-on training oppor-

tunities for students to acquire skills for the growing felds of health and wellness, business, and STEM/high tech.

Now in its centennial year, O&G is led by the third and fourth generation of the Oneglia family. The company excels at vertical construction in markets beyond education, including healthcare, commercial, industrial, manufacturing, municipal, transit, utility, infrastructure, water/wastewater and athletic venues. O&G’s Heavy Civil Division performs road, bridge, and dam construction, as well as large-scale site work and power and energy projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the distribution of aggregates, concrete, asphalt, and masonry products.

Conference room at Boston University

Northeastern University’s Marino Center locker room

Starbucks at Boston University

Torrington Middle and High School

Farmington High School

AET Labs Equips New Northeastern Research Center

Boston – Hundreds of tools and equipment were sourced, delivered, and installed by AET Labs, a New England-based STEM lab solutions provider, at Northeastern’s new research center, called EXP. EXP is a state-of-the art center that enables Northeastern University students and researchers to network, connect, and collaborate. The center includes teaching and research labs and a comprehensive makerspace with many specialized labs, including additive manufacturing, laser cutting, metal shop, wood shop, spray room, photo room, and a bio lab. AET Labs centralized the equipment process for EXP.

Northeastern wanted frst to ensure that this modern space had equipment that would foster innovation and research. AET Labs collaborated with the university, architecture, and construction teams to recommend technology that met their goals, sourced from leading manufacturing companies, including 3D printers, an oversized waterjet cutter, laser cutters, a CNC mill, and CNC router.

With this complex construction project, the EXP project team was concerned about delivery interruptions at the work site. Equipment could only be delivered and installed over the course of three weeks before the new center opened its doors at the start of the school year. Instead of

the EXP project manager coordinating deliveries with multiple vendors over a short period of time with various technicians in the space, AET Labs resolved that as the centralized equipment provider.

The AET Labs team procured equipment for many of the labs and warehoused it off-site, where they

Northeastern University EXP organized the equipment with colored tags so they knew which labs they belonged to. When the construction team was ready, AET Labs delivered all of the equipment to the labs within fve days.

The AET Labs team continued the work by uncrating, assembling, and commissioning every piece of technology

for another week. They are also training lab directors on the operations of some of the new equipment. Through this turnkey service, AET Labs representatives say they did not disturb construction and are fnishing ahead of schedule, so that Northeastern University EXP will have all labs ready for use on opening day.

Renovation Underway on Historic Bldg.

Needham, MA – M. O’Connor

Contracting, Inc is underway with the renovation and modernization of the Emery Grover School Administration Building, an 1897 National Register Historic Building that was original constructed as a high school. The project was designed by Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype, Inc. and is scheduled to be completed in early September 2024.

The complete exterior renovation includes rehabilitation to preserve the original masonry, installation of new energy effcient windows to replicate the original windows, slate roofng and a new parking lot with exterior lighting and underground utilities.

The interior renovation and new

addition include a complete gut rehab, the enclosure of the existing open portico to provide an accessible entrance building as well as the installation of a new elevator, structural enhancements, new mechanical systems, and the complete build out for the Town of Needham’s School Department.

Emery Grover School Administration Building

Adapting to the Seasonal Fluctuations in Schools’ Wastewater Treatment Systems

wastewater treatment systems that rely on a relatively constant level of biological activity to treat incoming wastes, these large fuctuations are not the easiest to accommodate.

By Bill Idarola

Many schools maintain their own wastewater treatment systems that exclusively serve their own populations. One unique aspect of these systems is the signifcant fow variations that they experience throughout the year. Along with the school population itself, the school’s wastewater discharge drops off signifcantly on weekends, holidays, and school vacations. These are minor though compared to the drastic changes that occur every year as the school year ends and summer vacation starts. The exact reverse happens when the new school year starts in the fall. Managing these fuctuations requires some proper planning and effective team communication.

Each year in June, the fow to a school’s wastewater treatment system can go from thousands of gallons per day to hundreds – a drop of over 90% in most cases. When the students return in the fall, this is reversed and the fow can increase tenfold within a day or two. For

The treatment process relies on maintaining certain parameters at a near steady state for best performance. Incoming wastes feed the bacterial/ biomass in the plant and, in the absence of regular fow, the biomass begins to change. It’s the wastewater treatment plant operator’s job to anticipate this change and make adjustments to the plant to maintain good performance and good effuent quality.

In the summer, when the fow is low, the biomass begins to slowly digest itself and die off due to the loss of food supplied by the incoming wastewater. In the fall, when the students return, this same biomass, now reduced, will be expected to treat the same waste stream that was present prior to summer vacation. The treatment of the increase in waste load takes time, typically 2-3 weeks for the biomass to regrow and acclimate to the increase.

Other considerations to consider when it comes to seasonal variations in wastewater treatment processes are listed below.

• Maintenance activities – Summertime activities that can negatively affect the wastewater treatment system include foor stripping, tank cleaning/fushing, and discharge of spoiled waste. Some of these activities and the use of chemicals can cause treatment system failure when

used in large volumes or during low fows.

• School activities – Summer school and other activities in the summer can sporadically make the fow change signifcantly from day to day.

• Temperature – Summer temperature increases can signifcantly change the nature of the biomass in the system, particularly in low fow periods.

• Communication – The wastewater treatment system operator needs to know the school’s schedule intimately. This allows him or her to plan accordingly and make the necessary adjustments to keep the system running effectively. The operator also needs to have a good rapport with school operations and management. Maintaining proper communication between all personnel will positively impact wastewater discharge and operation.

In summary, the signifcant seasonal fow variations in a school’s onsite wastewater treatment system at the start and end of each school year are far from insurmountable. From our viewpoint, good planning and effective communication between project partners have proven to be the keys to operations success.

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Precast Concrete Gymnasium Prototype Provides Blueprint for Urban Schools

The Universal Physical Education Program, launched through the New York City mayor’s offce, is aimed at current Pre-K – 5 schools that lack an indoor gymnasium. The program utilizes a section of the school’s play yard to develop a stand-alone multi-purpose gym building. The architectural frm, MDSA, created a precast concrete prototype gymnasium annex that can be applied in various urban school settings with minor modifcations.

A multifunctional and highperformance building envelope was required for the Universal Physical Education Program. Instead of using the agency’s long-standard concrete masonry units and brick cavity walls, the design team proposed architectural insulated precast concrete panels as the building envelope and structure.

The prototype design was customized for eight schools in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Coreslab Structures (CONN) Inc. manufactured the precast concrete for four public schools, PS 81Q, PS 246X, PS 36Q, and PS 112K. The scope of work for each site differed depending on existing site conditions and the extra amenities desired by the client and user.

Each gym was constructed within existing play yards; therefore, a compact and highly effcient footprint of 5,724 gross sq. ft. was developed to ft within the individual sites while retaining the

greatest amount of open space. The building prototype design includes the main gym space equipped with six

basketball hoops, an overlaid volleyball court, an instructor’s offce, storage, janitor’s closets, student and staff

restrooms, and a large vestibule with coat storage. A mechanical mezzanine is above the accessory spaces adjacent to the double-height gym space.

Utilizing the aesthetic versatility of precast concrete, the architect customized the exterior precast details and fnishes for each site to make the new gymnasium annexes blend seamlessly with the existing schools. While the overall building layout, including the number and location of doors, windows, and louvers remained the same, the precast mix design, brick color and pattern, projecting cornices, and trim were revised to mimic the existing school’s details.

Architectural insulated precast wall panels helped to achieve a well-sealed and high-performance building envelope that does not rely on intricate feld detailing of the air and thermal barrier. The precast fabrication and concrete foundation construction were completed simultaneously, allowing precast erection to begin immediately after the foundation work was completed. Highperformance windows and doors were set in line with insulation to complete the high-performance envelope, resulting in reduced energy loads and increased occupant comfort.

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Crimson Galeria Pivots to Residential for 3-Story Addition in Harvard Square

Cambridge, MA – Nauset Construction has begun implementing signifcant building support measures and structural steel upgrades to the Crimson Galeria building in Harvard Square as the owners pivot from offce uses to apartments for the planned 3-story vertical addition. The owners originally permitted the building to construct offce space on top of the Crimson Galeria, but during the COVID-19 pandemic decided to pursue a residential addition to the building instead, for which they received a special permit.

“There is an obvious need for both market-rate and affordable units in this market – certainly more than there is currently for offce – and this addition will deliver both,” said Crimson Galeria LP principal, Rachna Balakrishna. “We own and operate another mixed-use property with apartments and ground-foor retail in Harvard Square that is always oversubscribed and continues to perform well for us, and we fully anticipate that the Crimson Galeria apartments will also do well.”

Designed by NELSON Worldwide, the new residential addition will be home to 38 studio, one- and two-bedroom

apartments, with approximately 20% designated as affordable. The initial phases of the project began before the pandemic and are now complete. These phases focused on interior upgrades to the existing retail space within the Crimson Galeria, as well as the construction of an Eversource vault to provide increased power for the new addition. To provide additional support for the multifamily units, Nauset is now orchestrating the installation of 42 micropiles, four super columns, and signifcant additional structural steel building upgrades.

During the entire construction process, the retail portion of the property, which includes Shake Shack, Maharaja, Veggie Grill, Menya Jiro, and Core Power Yoga, has remained open. The Galeria is adding two new tenants, Cookies and Achilito’s Taqueria, and longtime tenant Bonchon will soon reopen, bringing the Galeria to full occupancy.

“It’s a very heavily traffcked retail area, with lots of tourists and visitors, and Nauset superintendent Kevin Randall has done a great job working with the Harvard Square Business Association, the building

tenants, and other neighbors to minimize the impact on the local businesses,” said Balakrishna.

“This project involves working on a tight, occupied, urban infll site –something that we consider to be one of our strengths as a construction manager,” said Nauset Construction president, Anthony Papantonis. “Safety is paramount when working in highly traffcked areas, as well as ensuring that our construction efforts are minimally disruptive to the retailers and their customers.”

Crimson Galeria / Rendering courtesy of NELSON Worldwide

Construction Completed on ‘The 600’ Development in Boston

Boston – Callahan Construction Managers recently announced the completion of The 600 mixed-use project for V10 Development.

Located on the 600 block of Broadway in Everett, the 80,000sf of ground-up new construction is located near public transportation and the Forbes Five-Star Encore Boston Harbor Resort. The 6-story residential complex features 85 residential units ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom units with high-end fnishes. Amenities include a restaurant, rooftop deck, commercial space, and 37 parking spaces. The 600 is fully leased, and a ribbon cutting was held with City of Everett offcials on April 27.

Callahan was retained to provide pre-construction and construction management services. Two existing buildings on the site were demolished to make room for the new apartment complex. The ground foor was constructed in a podium style and contains the residential lobby, two retail rental areas, mechanical spaces, the loading dock, and parking. Floors two through six are identical wood frame construction and each includes 17 residential units with quartz counters in the bathrooms and kitchens. The roof level has a 4,500sf roof deck area which will include enclosed restrooms, stairs and elevator lobby, and outdoor seating

The

and cooking areas for use by tenants. The 600 was designed by Context, a collaborative design workshop. The design team sought to embrace Context’s location on the top of the hill, on one

of the busiest streets in Everett, making it a prominent building from many different vantage points. The team endeavored to allow the building to stand out while being sympathetic to

the surrounding neighborhood. In order to keep from feeling too massive and bulky, Context used cantilevered bays and changes in facade materials to break down the facades into something more consistent with neighborhood residential architecture. Masonry was used at the street level to provide a visually familiar

and human scaled pedestrian experience. The project team for The 600 also includes RJ O’Connell & Associates, civil engineer; H+O Structural Engineering, structural engineer; and MDLA Landscape Architecture, landscape architect.

600 / Photos courtesy of Dronehome Media

Healthcare

State-of-the-Art Animal Hospital Complete in Lowell

Lowell, MA – Over the past year, the VBA Construction Management team has completed four state-of-the-art animal hospitals for Bond Vet, a pet health company with over 40 locations from Chicago to Boston. The clinics are located throughout the Boston area and include Newbury Street, Chestnut Hill, Arsenal Yards, and MarketStreet in Lynnfeld.

Bond Vet’s clinics have many specifc and unique building and technical requirements from lighting to medical technology and veterinary equipment yet must also be constructed to facilitate effciency for staff, as well as comfort for pets and their humans.

Ayla Rodriguez, assistant project manager at Bond Vet, said working with VBA has helped to eliminate much of the stress involved in their building projects that often have tight timelines and lots of moving parts. “Having VBA as a trusted partner has helped us successfully open new clinics on time and on budget,” said Rodriguez.

VBA worked closely with Bond Vet’s team and their specialty suppliers to ensure all equipment, from digital radiography, oxygen concentrators to surgical lasers, were installed correctly to obtain multiple

permits and pass inspections.

“We estimate that over the course of our projects with Bond Vet we may work with over a dozen specialized partners, suppliers and subcontractors to complete each job,” said Jon DuPont, project manager for VBA. “And it is through our focus on communications and teamwork that we can build successfully in today’s challenging construction environment.”

Other key features of the Bond Vet construction projects included the use of practical materials that allow for easy cleanup of foors and walls as well as a functional layout that makes it easy for staff to access the materials they need and facilitate easy access to exam rooms for pets.

DuPont noted that Bond Vet places a special emphasis on creating calm spaces

for pets and their humans so that they feel comfortable. He said that adding sounddampening materials, particularly in exam rooms, can make a big difference.

“We are proud of our work for Bond Vet and helping them to provide a welcoming experience for pets and owners, but also a great work environment for their dedicated care team,” said DuPont.

Bond Vet

Mixed-Use

BPDA Approves New Developments, Adopts PLAN: Newmarket

Boston – The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) board of directors recently approved 11 new development projects that will create 876 residential units, and will support approximately 1,079 construction jobs and 125 permanent jobs.

Development Projects

The project at 96-100 Rockwood Street in Jamaica Plain consists of the construction of 13 new separate residential structures and the renovation of the existing stone farmhouse onsite. In total, there will be 36 residential units. The buildings and property will also feature energy conservation and sustainable building technologies.

Building one will contain 48 incomerestricted residential units, and building two will contain 69 market-rate residential units. As part of the mitigation efforts for this project, all trees will be replanted on site. This will also be an all-electric, zero net carbon ready project.

In support of the continued transformation of the former MBTA bus depot known as Bartlett Yard, Phase 5 of the Bartlett Place Planned Development Area (PDA) in Roxbury includes 24 income-restricted homeownership units within two buildings. At full build out, Bartlett Place contemplates a new internal roadway, commercial and retail space, housing, and a public events plaza.

500 Western Avenue

Located in Brighton, the 500 Western Avenue project will build a new 6-story building consisting of 116 multi-family residential apartments, which includes eight artist live/work units. Retail space on the ground foor will be utilized as an urban market. The project will improve the public realm and connectivity of the site with new street trees and sidewalks.

Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center

What is currently an outdated building will be converted into the new 3-story Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center in Dorchester. This project is the result of an RFP issued by the Mayor’s Offce of Housing in 2016 to redevelop the parcels at 8 Old Road, 14 Ellington Street, and 16 Ellington Street. The building will include space for community events.

homeownership units. This project will also create a pocket park at the corner of McKay and Maverick streets.

What is currently vacant land will be converted into housing for the East Boston neighborhood at 1141 Bennington Street. The site is vacant due to a fre which destroyed the New England Casket Company in 2019. The new, mixed-use building will be six stories, and made up of residential and retail space. There will be 220 residential units, 31 of which will be income-restricted.

The project at 165 Park Drive in the Fenway neighborhood will consist of two buildings totaling 117 residential units.

The 1270 Commonwealth Avenue project will convert a vacant one-story building and parking lot into a 6-story building with 206 residential units and retail space on Commonwealth Avenue in Allston. Of those units, 35 will be income-restricted. This will be a transitoriented development, and improved sidewalks will be added to the site.

The Dighton Gardens project will bring a 4-story residential building to Dighton Street in Brighton. The building will include 44 residential units. Seven of the units will be income-restricted. Public realm improvements will be made to the nearby intersections of Dighton Street and Chestnut Hill Avenue, and Dighton Street and Washington Street.

This project at 9 McKay Place in East Boston will provide 41 residential units and just over 1,000sf of retail space to the neighborhood. The 5-story building will include amenities for residents such as a gym and community meeting room. Seven units will be income-restricted

The 1702 Hyde Park Ave project will create a 4-story residential building in Hyde Park near the Readville Commuter Rail and Wolcott Square. The area is currently known for auto body shops and warehouses but it is transitioning as more proposals for multifamily residences and ground foor retail come in. This project will have 44 condominium units and ground foor retail space.

Located in Hyde Park, the 1081 River Street project will build a new 4-story building that includes 28 residential units. Six units will be income-restricted. The project will also provide more than 9,000sf of open space. The project contributes to citywide goals to support transit-oriented development.

Additionally, the BPDA board adopted the PLAN: Newmarket planning initiative which lays out a vision and the tools for Newmarket to serve as a key center of industrial activity and employment for Boston residents, and an area primed to attract the industries of tomorrow. Draft zoning implementing the plan was recently released for a fnal round of public comment and is projected to go to the BPDA board in September.

1141 Bennington Street

165 Park Drive

1270 Commonwealth Avenue

Dighton Gardens

9 McKay Place

96-100 Rockwood Street

1702 Hyde Park Ave.

1081 River Street

Northern New England Ribbon Cut for Adaptive Playground in New Hampshire

Northfeld, NH – Spaulding Academy & Family Services recently held the grand opening of its state-of-the-art adaptive playground. The occasion was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Lakes Region Chamber.

Ribbon cutting for the adaptive playground is one of the largest in the region with over 10,300sf of play area. With careful consideration and expertise from Spaulding occupational therapists, physical therapists, teachers, residential staff, and facilities team, the entire Spaulding Family worked together with its partners Miracle Recreation and Pettinelli & Associates to build a playground that would be inclusive and fun for everyone.

The event included fresh tacos and treats from food trucks, lemonade from a student-run lemonade stand, face painting, and more. Event attendees also interacted with local fre departments who brought their trucks.

The new adaptive playground at Spaulding Academy & Family Services

“We are thrilled to unveil our new adaptive playground, which embodies the critical work we do at Spaulding

Academy & Family Services,” said Todd Emmons, president and CEO of Spaulding Academy & Family Services.

“We frmly believe that every child deserves a childhood, and with this playground, a child in a wheelchair can roll across the surface, access the swing set, and ride on a spinner. All children can challenge their motor skills, balance, and upper body strength in an inviting and inclusive space that will positively impact the lives of countless children and families for years to come.”

“I have been eagerly anticipating this

day for a very long time,” said Michael Ventura, board chair of Spaulding Academy & Family Services. “It is disheartening to think that some children are unable fully participate on a traditional playground. That is why we have put in extensive work, planning, and patience to create a playground that is custom made to cater to the unique needs of the children at Spaulding. This playground is a testament to our unwavering commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that every child can experience the joy of play.”

Adaptive playground

Daymark Brings Club Pilates to Portland

Portland, ME – The Procopio Companies announced that its newest for-sale condominium project Daymark, located in Portland’s West Bayside neighborhood, will feature Maine’s frst Club Pilates studio location.

Club Pilates studios nationwide teach traditional reformer-based Pilates with a modernized group practice twist. The studio plans to open this fall and will occupy approximately 2,400sf of the ground foor in the 7-story building, which features 54 for-sale luxury condominiums. This is Club Pilates’ frst location in the state of Maine.

“When I saw the Daymark building, I knew it was ’The One,’” said Anne McNamara, who owns Club Pilates West Bayside, and three other ftness franchises. “As an experienced operator and ftness instructor, I jumped at the chance to join this exciting, diverse neighborhood. West Bayside has more to offer every time you visit, and Club Pilates’ goal is to make a positive contribution to the city.”

The studio will add to Daymark’s growing list of community amenities for residents, which currently includes a ftness room, sports simulator, maker space, club room, and more. Daymark is currently 61% sold with only four units left under $600,000.

“We were intentional in our efforts to

AGC/VT HQ Sustains Flood Damage

Montpelier, VT – The Associated General Contractors Of Vermont (AGC/ VT) headquarters was ground zero for the July fooding that turned Montpelier and its surrounding neighborhoods into an extension of the North Branch and Winooski rivers.

fll Daymark’s ground foor commercial space and created a versatile setting that could accommodate a variety of business types. We hoped for a business that would not only beneft the future residents of the units, but also an amenity that would enhance the neighborhood as a whole,” said Joe Rubendall, development project manager for Daymark. “With Club Pilates opening this fall, we look forward to collaborating further with the studio to integrate them into the Daymark community.”

“It looked like a war zone. Silt and sludge covered everything – it was plastered on our chairs, desks, conference table. It was caked on the foors and carpets. Saying it was a mess was an understatement,” said Richard Wobby, executive vice president of AGC/VT, who was frst on the scene to assess the destruction. “We are in the best possible position to deal with an event of this magnitude. I estimate between our insurance policies and grants that we will apply for, we’ll have about three-fourths of our expenses covered, leaving us with about $150,000 worth of equipment and materials that we’ll need to pay for to get our facility up and running again.”

The association was forced to suspend all its training and education programming, until the room can be rebuilt. The association staff relocated their workstations to the attached warehouse and garage space, which suffered minimal damages, and Wobby secured contractors who could work through the weekend to rip out the walls, insulation, and carpets; begin mold remediation; and start the process of removing moisture so reconstruction could get started as soon as possible.

Wobby says the recovery effort has been possible with the help of AGC/ VT staff and members, and friends of the association like Ken Goslant, state representative and owner of Goslant Granite Company.

“I can’t say enough about how hard our people worked,” said Wobby. “Marcia and I pulled 12-hour days in the beginning trying to clean and save as much as we

could. I was blown away by how many people showed up unannounced on the weekend to help me, Marcia, and Debbie empty the offces and facility so the contractors could get started. I even felded calls from our banking representatives from Northfeld Savings Bank, who reached out on Wednesday asking what we needed. I’m forever grateful for all the people who gave up their nights and weekends to help us in those early days. We wouldn’t be where we are now if it wasn’t for them.”

It took the association about 12 days to clean out the offces and go through what equipment and materials could be kept (with a very deep clean) and what needed to go to the landfll.

For the most part, all of AGC/VT offerings have remained, except for the training classes and education programs. However, Wobby said he hopes to hit the on switch in September, which is much sooner than he had originally estimated. “Since contractors are in such high demand, I had initially thought the rebuild would have to happen in stages, likely fnishing in the winter. However, that timeline got expediated when H.P. Cummings Construction had a window of availability while they waited for a project with the State of Vermont to begin.”

The offce and training facility is slated to reopen to members and the public in September.

Metro Walls Named Top Contractor

Manchester, NH – Metro Walls announced it was recognized as a 2023 Top 50 Contractor by Walls and Ceilings Magazine. The list is comprised of companies nationwide that lead the industry in workmanship, employee culture, safety and more.

“It’s a tremendous achievement to be recognized for all the hard work of our team, and all that we have accomplished this past year,” said Bryan Hussey,

president of Metro Walls. “We are proud to be a part of an esteemed group of contractors that are committed to their customers, their people, and their craft. Congratulations to all of those who earned a place on this year’s Top 50 Contractors list.”

The 2023 Top 50 Contractor list was released in the August issue of Walls & Ceilings magazine. This is the sixth year that Metro Walls has earned a top spot on the list.

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Retail and Hospitality

Design Completed for Tenderoni’s Fenway Restaurant

Boston – Architecture and interior design frm PCA, working in partnership with chef and TV personality Tiffani Faison and her Boston-based restaurant group, Big Heart Hospitality, completed design for the 70s-and-80s-inspired restaurant Tenderoni’s Fenway.

Located in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Tenderoni’s Fenway features 140 seats, two bars, and an eclectic design inspired by the best of 70s and 80s nostalgia – and celebrating that era’s disco roller rinks and pop culture icons.

The new fagship Tenderoni’s Fenway expands upon the Tenderoni’s site within High Street Place, a downtown Boston Food Hall that opened last year. “I’m really excited about this brand and the enthusiastic response we’ve seen,” said Faison. “It is the kind of place where you can really let your hair down, and that fun spirit carries through in the menu, design, and atmosphere.”

To capture the eclectic vibe of a 70s and 80s disco roller rink, PCA’s team studied the period’s bold fashions, colors, graphics, and popular music culture. “We fell in love with the pure joy and energy that was such a big part of the roller rink

experience,” said Dave Snell, a principal at PCA who led the restaurant’s design. “We clicked right away with Tiffani’s creative, unapologetic vision for Tenderoni’s Fenway dining and bar spaces, and we enjoyed working with her to bring these ideas into a lively, fun-based identity.”

The restaurant is designed to celebrate the pop culture of the 70s and 80s with a distinctive, recognizable style. The

interior features colorful animal prints splashed everywhere, from furniture fabrics to wall and column coverings to accent pieces. Color-changing neon lighting is designed to create an energetic mood and light up the painted concrete foor’s curving stripes and period colors. Three mirror disco balls, hand-built by Omega Mirror Products of Louisville, Ky., the fxture’s last American manufacturer, echo the disco roller rink’s visual experience. The furniture beneath the

disco balls is movable to allow an easy transition from seated dining to dance foor.

Much of the period artwork in Tenderoni’s Fenway comes from the collection of pop culture artifacts curated by Boston’s David Bieber Archives. The archives provided wall posters, vinyl albums, record store and movie theatre displays, magazines, fanzines, and photos featuring the music and pop culture personalities of the 70s and 80s.

Wilder Acquires 429,285sf Walpole Mall

Walpole, MA – Wilder, in cooperation with a private client, announced the acquisition of the Walpole Mall in Walpole.

Located 24 miles south of Boston with access to Providence Highway (Route 1) and I-95, the 429,285sf shopping center features Kohl’s, Aldi, Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, Panera Bread, Aspen Dental, T-Mobile, PetSmart, X Golf, Five Guys, Wines and More, and LA Fitness.

“Wilder’s overarching priority is to stay ahead of the commercial real estate market, and we are thrilled to have driven the acquisition and strategy for this exceptional investment,” said Brian Cosentino, Wilder’s senior vice president, acquisitions and business development. “At this low basis, Wilder’s operations team has the fexibility to consider con-

temporary retail merchandizing strategies and potential mixed-use component development strategies.”

“We are delighted to announce the acquisition of the Walpole Mall in Walpole, Mass.,” said David Mallen, principal at Wilder. “Together, with our partner and dedicated team, we aim to unlock the true potential of the Walpole Mall and make it a place where individuals and families can gather, shop, and create lasting memories. The Walpole Mall has an enduring legacy, and we are honored to be part of its future and continued success.”

Gary Robinson will lead the principal leasing efforts focusing on placemaking and enhancing this established communitycentric location.

Walpole Mall

Tenderoni’s Fenway

Erland Construction, Inc. / www.erland.com

Patterson-Sculley House (Residence Life Project) at St. Mark’s School

Training and Recruitment

Suffolk Hosts Girl Scouts for Day of Inspiration and Learning

Waltham, MA – Suffolk recently hosted eight Girl Scouts from Camp Cedar Hill in Waltham for a day of learning about the fascinating world of construction and the importance of female representation in the industry. The visit was part of Suffolk’s 10-year “Rebuild the Ratio” partnership with Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA).

The Girl Scouts who visited Suffolk’s Boston headquarters were treated to a day of learning and inspiration, much of it provided by women already thriving at Suffolk, according to representatives of the frm. Following an introduction to Suffolk and its projects, the girls toured headquarters, engaged in a questionand-answer session with Suffolk female leaders, participated in hands-on STEM activities, and viewed Suffolk’s 10 World Trade project.

An integral part of the Suffolk and GSEMA partnership is the development of the “Juniors Who Build” STEM-based curriculum and patch program, which launched in March. Juniors Who Build takes Girl Scouts through a fve-step

process of building a treehouse, with options to choose an activity for each step. Representatives of the frm say that upon completion of the program, Girl

Scouts will be armed with knowledge of design and coordination, cost and estimation, planning, site management and safety, and trades. All of the Girl

Scouts who visited Suffolk were completing the curriculum at camp and will receive their patches once they have fnished the program.

The Girl Scouts designed and built structures that could support the weight of at least one book, using only popsicle sticks and clothespins.

Amanda Strong Director – Asset Management for MITIMCo, MIT’s Investment Management Company

Marci Griffith Loeber Managing Principal at Griffith

Kathleen MacNeil Principal at MP Boston

Build Better Podcast

Teach to Work: Equipping the Next Generation of Young Professionals

by Emily Langner

On season 3, episode 3 of the Build Better podcast, Anastasia welcomed Patty Alper, president of marketing and consulting company Alper Portfolio Group. She is working to address the workforce shortage in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries by educating students through mentorships and meaningful on-the-job experience.

Alper is author of the book, Teach to Work: How a Mentor, a Mentee, and a Project Can Close the Skills Gap in America. On the podcast, she shared how Project Based Mentoring, a model she has trademarked, brings together corporate employees, retirees, and businesses as a corps of knowledge practitioners with the common goal of passing on skills to the next generation of business professionals. A signifcant workforce shortage continues to be one of the greatest challenges facing the architecture, engineering, and construction industries today. In a recent report by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the

Patty Alper

construction industry will need to attract an estimated 546,000 additional workers on top of the normal pace of hiring in 2023 to meet the demand for labor.

Alper says that in her time talking and connecting with employers, she has seen a disconnect between the skills they are looking for in new hires and what is being taught today. She says, “Sometimes educators are swamped in their own way

and may not be versed in where the world is going and the skills that are required, and those skills keep changing. Change is the constant.” She says “bringing industry in as part of education” allows employers to share with students the skills and knowledge they are looking for. Alper adds that when students are provided with the necessary skills to survive and thrive in their chosen career path, they can enter the workforce with a sense of confdence and the experience to solve real-world problems.

Through the Teach to Work program, Alper assists schools in implementing mentorships to enrich their current programs. Schools then partner with outside frms to pair students with a professional in their feld, giving the student an opportunity to lead a project from start to fnish with support from their mentor. With the mentor acting as a guide, the student can take ownership of a project and experience real-world scenarios that prepare them for their future career.

mentorships as a regular part of the educational experience can help close the skills gap and prepare the next generation of professionals to be successful in the workforce. She adds that giving these young people the skills they need to succeed can have a substantial impact on flling crucial roles in the industry, and pairing students with meaningful and lucrative careers in their chosen feld.

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS THAT LAST FOR 30+ YEARS

Alper says incorporating these

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS THAT LAST FOR 30+ YEARS

At Energy Electrical Contractors, we believe in building lasting relationships with our clients. We take the time to understand your unique requirements, tailoring our solutions to meet your specifc needs. Our commitment to customer satisfaction is unwavering, and we strive to exceed your expectations on every job.

At Energy Electrical Contractors, we believe in building lasting relationships with our clients. We take the time to understand your unique requirements, tailoring our solutions to meet your specifc needs. Our commitment to customer satisfaction is unwavering, and we strive to exceed your expectations on every job.

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS THAT LAST FOR 30+ YEARS

At Energy Electrical Contractors, we believe in building lasting relationships with our clients. We take the time to understand your unique requirements, tailoring our solutions to meet your specifc needs. Our commitment to customer satisfaction is unwavering, and we strive to exceed your expectations on every job.

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS THAT LAST FOR 30+ YEARS

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS THAT LAST FOR 30+ YEARS

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS THAT LAST FOR 30+ YEARS

At Energy Electrical Contractors, we believe in building lasting relationships with our clients. We take the time to understand your unique requirements, tailoring our solutions to meet your specifc needs. Our commitment to customer satisfaction is unwavering, and we strive to exceed your expectations on every job.

At Energy Electrical Contractors, we believe in building lasting relationships with our clients. We take the time to understand your unique requirements, tailoring our solutions to meet your specifc needs. Our commitment to customer satisfaction is unwavering, and we strive to exceed your expectations on every job.

At Energy Electrical Contractors, we believe in building lasting relationships with our clients. We take the time to understand your unique requirements, tailoring our solutions to meet your specifc needs. Our commitment to customer satisfaction is unwavering, and we strive to exceed your expectations on every job.

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS

THAT

At Energy Electrical Contractors, we believe in building lasting relationships with our clients. We take the time to understand your unique requirements, tailoring our solutions to meet your specifc needs. Our commitment to customer satisfaction is unwavering, and we strive to exceed your expectations on every job.

“ Sometimes educators are swamped in their own way and may not be versed in where the world is going and the skills that are required, and those skills keep changing.”

- Patty Alper

Restoration and Renovation

Marr Scaffolds Boston’s Historic 26 Court Street

Boston – Built in 1912, 26 Court Street is an 11-story, 175,000sf municipal offce building owned by the City of Boston that is currently undergoing a full interior and exterior restoration. The project

Building

covers 11 foors above grade and three basement levels and includes a redesign of the exterior plaza. Marr Scaffolding Company (MSC) contracted with general contractor Shawmut Design & Construction to stage the entire perimeter of the building for facade restoration.

Starting in early June, MSC’s Scaffold Division began the frst phase by installing Systems scaffolding on the east and west side elevations of the building. Approximately 14 Marr crew members have been on site daily erecting the 137-foot-high scaffold. Challenging site and architectural features had to be accounted for during the design and installation process. Marr was able to source the ideal scaffold components to address the many unique applications. For example, extra-long side brackets were employed to access the building’s many recessed windows. Additionally, scaffolding had to be carefully designed and installed around a substantial cornice that wraps around and protrudes from the building’s 10th foor exterior.

Vaulted sidewalks surround 26 Court Street. To safely support the weight of the scaffold atop these sidewalks, the Shawmut/Marr team turned to Marr’s

Count on Abbot for Repointing and Recaulking

Loose brick and water leakage are signs that the mortar bond is failing, and repairs are warranted to prevent further damage. When the need arises for repointing or recaulking, you can always count on Abbot.

Our dedicated professional team works with owners, property managers, engineers and architects to provide economical, efective masonry solutions in a responsive, timely manner.

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specialty shoring company, Isaac Blair, to design and install multiple shoring towers and shoring posts below grade. The work includes scaffolding the north side of the building, which follows extensive site work along Court Street, where a subway entrance for Scollay Square (the former entertainment district of Boston) once existed. Completed scaffolding sections are turned over for use by mason and window contractors.

This project is the frst in the Boston area to utilize LIFTBOT, a robotic hoist system manufactured by Kewazo (Germany). During the frst phase of the project, two LIFTBOTs assisted scaffolders in moving materials between levels. The battery-powered remotecontrolled LIFTBOT has an operating

speed of 138 feet/minute, a load capacity of 220 pounds and a working height certifed up to 164 feet; its on-board computer collects signifcant operational data and analytics, which has enabled Marr’s project managers to track on-site progress in real time.

Representatives of Marr say the use of LIFTBOT has increased overall safety for its crew members by reducing fatigue and physical strain often associated with the use of electric winches or rope and pulley systems. Marr’s foreman, Patrick Murphy, said, “This saves so much wear and tear on our manpower and it’s so much safer – it won’t let you do something you shouldn’t.” The company’s representatives add that Marr plans to utilize the technology on future projects.

Abbot Completes Dormitory Project

Boston – Abbot recently completed extensive repairs on a 4-story brick and precast concrete college dormitory building located on the campus of Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston.

Abbot’s work focused on the rear section of the building that had deteriorated over time. First, Abbot cut and pointed all of the masonry using new mortar to match the existing color and texture of the original mortar. Abbot then removed any damaged or deteriorated brick and replaced the brick with new matching brick.

The next task was to replace numerous damaged precast sills and lintels to accommodate various window sizes, and then cut out and recaulk all of the windows using Tremco Dymonic FC hybrid joint sealant to match the existing sealant material.

A major challenge for Abbot was to perform the job during a tight time frame while the students were away on break. The project commenced immediately after completion of fnal exams in May and completed in time to allow for clean

up before the students returned in August. This required multiple crews working several rigs at a time with the supervision of foremen who set the daily tasks. The foremen and crews worked in conjunction with Abbot’s management team who assisted in coordinating the effort.

Wentworth Institute of Technology dormitory building

arr scaffolders of oad aterials during installation.

Marr’s Kewazo LIFTBOT in action at 26 Court Street in Boston

389 Congress Street, Boston, MA Two-Phase Restoration of Mixed-Use High Rise Building

Trends and Hot Topics

What I Learned from the 10,000th Wish

By Kimberley Rinaldi

The mission at Make-A-Wish Foundation is “Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.” Their website tells more of the story: Wishes are more than just a nice thing, and they are far more than gifts, or singular events in time. Wishes impact everyone involved – wish kids, volunteers, donors, sponsors, medical professionals, and communities. For wish kids, just the act of making their wish come true can give them the courage to comply with their medical treatments. Parents might fnally feel like they can be optimistic. And still others might realize all that they have to offer the world through volunteer work or philanthropy.

Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island granted 400 wishes this year, and is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Our team at Brennan Consulting had the privilege of working with W.T. Rich on Kyle’s Krib, the 10,000th wish for the chapter. Treehouse planning began in September 2022 for Kyle Osterman, an amazing 9-year-old from Grafton who is battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Kyle helped design the space with his new construction team and friends at W.T. Rich. Partners such as saam architecture, Foley Buhl Roberts structural engineers, Cardi’s Furniture, the Town of Grafton and many subcontractors, businesses, neighbors, and friends brought this project to the fnish line. The team also set and later surpassed their fundraising goal of $25,000 and countless material and labor donations were made. Ribbon cutting day included a party and visits from Jeff Kinney, author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid; Smiley from the Worcester Red Sox; Brendan Tassey from the Basketball Hall of Fame; former Red Sox player Darnell McDonald; and all of Kyle’s volunteers!

While I’m learning more about our state-of-the-art technology in construction

survey services here at Brennan, Kyle, his new treehouse, and our client W.T. Rich gave me insight into how we as an industry can pay it forward. Building on existing relationships, overcoming hurdles and networking to bring a pro bono venture to completion can be just as rewarding as any large-scale project. Pro bono work as a consultant seems to create a different team energy, a sense of urgency and fulfllment. I hope to have the opportunity to work on more of these in the future with my colleagues. To fnd out ways you can help Make-A-Wish, visit https://wish.org/.

Kimberley Rinaldi is the executive administrator and marketing coordinator for Brennan Consulting, Inc. in Burlington, Mass.

Photos courtesy of W.T. Rich, Make-A-Wish Foundation

Trends and Hot Topics

ACEC Research Institute Releases Findings of Q3 Engineering Business Sentiment

Washington – The ACEC Research Institute recently released its Engineering Business Sentiment report fndings for the third quarter of 2023.

New data show engineering executives share a more positive outlook on the U.S. economy now and into the future. At the same time, frm leaders list concerns about infation and workforce shortages as their biggest issues. As frms continue to turn down work, they note a lack of qualifed workers as the single largest barrier to growing their company.

“The data shows executives have a more positive economic outlook, but workforce pressures are still impacting their businesses,” said Joe Bates, the lead researcher with the ACEC Research Institute. “Still we’re seeing optimism across the different sectors.”

Economic & Industry Sentiment

Among respondents, the current sentiment of the U.S. economy is up 14 points from last quarter coming in at a +32 reading, while industry and individual frm sentiment remains extremely optimistic.

Current sentiment remains very optimistic within all market sectors. Sentiment is strongest in Roads and Bridges (+84) and Water/Wastewater (+83).

The survey offers a comprehensive look at current and future conditions in engineering and the larger economy from the viewpoint of 570 executives across the engineering and design services industry. It measures sentiment through the use of a “Net Rating” system with zero being neutral. The higher or lower the number, the stronger the sentiment (positive or negative).

Supply chain issues also continue to ease as only 32% of respondents cite this as a concern compared to 56% in Q4 2022.

Workforce Sentiment

Workforce issues remain top of mind as respondents expect to both increase hiring and have a backlog of projects.

Seventy percent of respondents predict there will be an increase in hiring over the

next 12 months at their frms, resulting in a Net Rating of +66. Sixty-three percent of executives indicate that open positions constitute at least 5% of all full-time employees. On average, one out of 10 positions are currently unflled.

“Hiring is poised to ramp up if engineering frms have access to qualifed

candidates,” said Mike Carragher, chair of the ACEC Research Institute. “The sectors executives feel most optimistic about are sectors that strongly beneft communities: roads and bridges, along with water and wastewater. They’re vital to our everyday life.”

Green

Sasaki Releases Carbon Conscience 2.0 Platform

Boston – Sasaki recently announced the release of Carbon Conscience 2.0, a carbon calculator that allows users to test and iterate at crucial stages when the design is most fexible. These early-stage interventions enable designers to establish carbon benchmarking and goals for the project’s detailed design phases.

Representatives of Sasaki say Carbon Conscience 2.0 is currently the only platform that supports district-scale, early-phase, whole-project-life-cycle analysis inclusive of site and building data. This version replaces the beta Version 1; incorporates feedback from experts, users, and both academic and professional peer reviewers; and represents the frst full “gamma version” of the Carbon Conscience platform. By providing Carbon Conscience to the design community as a free and publicly accessible tool, the frm’s representatives say it hopes to empower designers and planners with data to more effectively advocate for low-carbon design, early in the design process.

The team at Sasaki faced a challenge in the urban design and concept design phases of work; the team knew the

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decisions they were advising on could have potentially huge global warmingassociated emissions but didn’t know how to advocate in those early design phases. All existing carbon calculators required detailed design decisions, accurate bills of quantities, and schedules of materials – inputs that required a technical stage level of detail. Representatives of Sasaki say that, as an integrated practice of architects, planners, landscape architects, civil engineers, and ecologists, they also

understood the value of living systems in contributing to carbon sequestration and storage.

In response, Sasaki created Carbon Conscience Beta to test and explore what an early-phase tool could do to help planners and designers understand the carbon impacts of their proposals. Carbon Conscience 2.0 combines landscape, architectural, and ecological datasets to create a library of land uses that could be sketched with and iterated upon.

Carbon Conscience 2.0 includes a completely rebuilt landscape architectural dataset, developed through Sasaki landscape architect Chris Hardy’s research as part of his 2023 Landscape Architecture Foundation Fellowship. Hardy created a landscape baseline materials database for 148 unique materials and product typologies, as well as a new model based on cited literature for ecosystem and softscape sequestration projections, inclusive of biomass, soil organic carbon, and allochthonous carbon. This work supports Climate Positive Design. It will also be part of the American Society of Landscape Architects Climate Action Plan’s next generation of decarbonizing design tools and resources.

Supporters of Carbon Conscience 2.0 include the Landscape Architecture Foundation, Climate Positive Design, Architecture2030, the Carbon Leadership Forum, and EHDD. Carbon Conscience Version 3 is anticipated later this fall, designed to advance the architectural datasets in collaboration with EHDD’s Epic platform and other industry partners.

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Expertise in EV infrastructure

Competitive pricing and reliable service

High-quality workmanship and attention to detail

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As the demand for electric vehicles surges, so does the need for e icient and reliable charging infrastructure. We have the expertise and training to install and maintain the complex electrical system.

Trends and Hot Topics

Little Seeds, Big Potential: Dacon Completes 88 Acres’ Facility

By Lauren Nowicki

Foods matter. They infuence health, performance, celebratory moments and cultural exchanges. Today’s shift from commodity-driven pricing to personalized products refects a growing consumer preference for transparency and valueadded benefts. Today, consumer choice is an exercise in sustainable sourcing, non-GMO, vegan, allergen-free, nutrientdense and gluten-free shopping. Snacks have transitioned from impulse buys to pre-planned purchases, becoming a staple in the American diet. The U.S. retains the largest global revenue for snacks at $105.9 billion, outpacing Japan, India and China.

our community’s lifestyle and are versatile enough to be enjoyed by kids in the pickup line or athletes at the fnish line,” explained Nicole. Started in 2015, the brand is named after the 88-acre farm where Nicole was raised in North Brookfeld, Mass.

A Budding Brand

88 Acres’ products offer fexible nutrition for modern lifestyles based on seeds. As a sustainable food resource, seeds are nutrient-dense due to their ability to grow a plant. They are also high in protein, healthy fats, fber, taste and texture properties, and are not a common food allergen. The portfolio consists of seed-based protein bars, seed and oat granola bars, seed butters and crunchy granola clusters called Seed’nola. Fan favorites include Dark Chocolate Sea Salt and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Seed + Oat Bars, Banana Bread Protein Bars, and Dark Chocolate Sunfower Seed Butter.

The Beginning

Great products start with determination and an intuitive sense for innovation. As with many high growth brands, 88 Acres was created to fulfll a niche need.

Founders Nicole Ledoux and Rob Dalton met on Match.com, and during their fourth dinner date, Rob consumed food contaminated with nuts. A dangerous allergic reaction ensued, landing him in the emergency room where Nicole met her future in-laws. Not having food allergies, she adjusted her cooking and looked towards alternative ingredients that produced favorful snacks without forsaking nutrition.

“From the start, our promise has been to craft favorful food without compromising on quality or safety for those with or without food allergies. Food is more than fuel – it’s comfort, celebration, and connection. Our R&D drives us to create products that enrich

88 Acres snacks are distributed nationally in grocery stores, mass retailers, K12 and higher education partners, on airlines, Amazon and 88acres.com. Originally created in their apartment kitchen, 88 Acres’ frst production facility was located in Dorchester. Exponential growth of the brand has resulted in a new headquarters leased from Camber Development at 85 John Road in Canton, Mass. Currently this site gives 88 Acres six times the production capacity of their previous bakery. While many snack companies turn to co-packers to produce their snacks, 88 Acres crafts their artisan snacks in-house to uphold the highest allergy standards. For this facility design, function was prioritized over form, with the facility being reconfgured to easily meet growing demand. Areas include a quality control lab, R&D lab, production area, cooling room, warehouse, executive offces and conference rooms totaling

30,000sf. The resulting effect is overall organizational continuity between sales/ marketing, warehousing, R&D, and production functions.

Civic Engagement

With each facility completion, Dacon funds an unmet need with a small, local nonproft through their philanthropy called Designed with Dignity. To honor 88 Acres, Dacon funded a water conservation program in Canton. Currently the Neponset Watershed Association monitors water quality via testing for the presence of chemicals, water depth, temperature, clarity and dissolved oxygen in a 120-mile area

around the Neponset River. Working with NepWA, a green team of local high school students will be tagging 200 drains with markers to educate citizens on stormwater contamination. Street runoff from fertilizers and debris is the largest source of water pollution. The use of chemicals and illegal dumping in drains affects the drinking water for 120,000 citizens along the Neponset River. To date, Dacon’s Designed with Dignity programs have enhanced 16,620 lives in Massachusetts. To view some of these projects, visit https://www.dacon1.com/about/giving.

Lauren Nowicki is chief co unications offcer at acon Corporation.

88 Acres

Awards

AGC/VT Wins National Award

Montpelier, VT – The Associated General Contractors Of Vermont (AGC/VT) announced it has won its third national award in as many years. Recently, the association won a Power of Associations Gold Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its successful “Run to Win” election advocacy initiative.

“Congratulations to AGC/VT for exemplifying the impact associations have on the industries and professions they represent, and on society at large,” said ASAE president and CEO, Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. “It’s always so incredibly satisfying to see associations going above and beyond their everyday mission to change the world. We’re very proud to spotlight this award-winning initiative.”

“We are very honored that AGC/ VT, a statewide association, is one of the only statewide associations to win,” said Richard Wobby, executive vice president of AGC/VT. “The other winners included national heavyweight organizations including the American Bankers Association, American Pharmacists Association, National Retail Federation, and the Society for Neuroscience, but this brave little state association stands among them.”

Led by its government affairs committee and supported by the board of directors, AGC/VT launched a six month, comprehensive and multi-faceted “Run to Win” election program aimed at educating, building relationships, and helping elect construction champions to the Vermont legislature and statewide offces.

“We realized there was a unique opportunity for us to engage Vermonters running for elected offce in a way that we had never done before as an organization,” explained Government Affairs Committee Chair Cheryl Harvey, co-partner of Harvey’s Plumbing and Excavating. “As an association, we have worked hard to build a credible rapport with lawmakers and government offcials in Montpelier. The Run to Win program was our chance to introduce ourselves, educate people on the work we do as companies and an industry as a whole, build relationships, and help the new elected offcials land on their feet in an environment that can take years to understand.”

The Run to Win campaign was launched in response to the 2022 election cycle, which saw a record number of legislators and statewide offcials, almost one-third, announce they were retiring or intended to seek higher offce. The Run to Win initiative offered a free candidate training program available to everyone running in the primary. AGC/VT also

hosted multiple in-person Burgers and Brews events so members could meet candidates. These events saw record attendance. The association also achieved record-setting fundraising for its Political Action Committee, and launched a “Get Out the Vote” website in conjunction with the Associated General Contractors of America. Almost 80% of the candidates AGC/VT supported won their seats.

“The Run to Win campaign was an extension of our philosophy at AGC/VT that government affairs is about reaching across party lines to work with all elected offcials craft meaningful and responsible legislation, rules, and regulations,” said Government Affairs committee member Tom Garrett, vice president of administration for Kubricky Construction Corp and a member of the D.A. Collins Companies. “This award shows us what happens when a group of people come together and work toward a common goal. We can make a real difference in Vermont when we want to, and I hope that more members see this award and feel proud of what they – what we – have accomplished and feel inspired to do even more.”

“We’re proud to have played a part in helping elect candidates, but more importantly, it was the relationships we started building that matter the most,” said Matt Musgrave, deputy executive vice president. “I hope this initiative has also excited our members to get even more involved in the government affairs process, because their involvement really does make a difference.”

“So much of business is about rules and regulations,” said Harvey, “and where do those come from? The government. Whether it’s the legislature or government agencies like AOT, ANR, or MSHA/ OSHA all those rules and regulations affect our businesses. In order for Matt and the lobbying team to be as effective as possible, they need members to get involved. Fortunately, it’s easier than ever for us to play active roles in building relationships with our representatives and senators, and working with Matt the AGC/VT team.”

Harvey also explained that this award is another recognition of the proactive approach to all issues involving the construction industry. “Whether its developing new training programs, launching new safety initiatives, or engaging legislatively, we don’t simply talk about doing things, we do them wholeheartedly in ways that make a difference,” she said. “It’s exciting to be a part of an organization that is truly making a difference in our businesses, the construction industry, and the state of Vermont.”

Making Technology Work for You

PropTech Breakthrough Announces Winners Of Third Annual Awards Program

Los Angeles – PropTech Breakthrough, an independent market intelligence organization that evaluates and recognizes standout real estate technology companies, products and services around the globe, announced the latest round of Real Estate Technology Innovators to win in its 2023 PropTech Breakthrough Awards program.

The mission of the annual PropTech Breakthrough Awards program is to conduct the industry’s most comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the top technology companies, solutions and products in the real estate technology industry today. This year’s program attracted more than 1,700 nominations from over 12 different countries throughout the world.

“In recent years, the real estate industry has been frmly in the throes of digital transformation. From digitization, data access, and mobile, cutting edge technologies are being applied across the entire property ecosystem revolutionizing the space as we know it. We set out to recognize those leading the charge in this transformative new era,” said Bryan Vaughn, managing director of PropTech Breakthrough Awards. “From smart buildings to AI, construction, real estate fnance, and even advances in architecture, the breakthrough winners in our third

annual program represent excellence, creativity, hard work and success in the feld of real estate technology.”

The 2023 award winners have been evaluated by an independent panel of real-estate professionals who, together, bring a mix of technical, business, academic and marketing expertise to the judging process. The winning companies, services and products are selected on a number of varying criteria such as Innovation, Performance, Ease of Use, Functionality, Value, and Impact.

The 2023 PropTech Winners Include: Financing and Financial Services

• Alternative Financing Platform of the Year: RenoFi

Property Management

• Commercial Property Management

AEC & CRE SPECIALISTS

Platform of the Year: VendorPM

• Tenant Portal Solution of the Year: RentRedi

• Property Management Company of the Year: BH

Shared Space

• Residential Shared Space Platform of the Year: SALTO Homelok, SALTO Systems

List, Search and Marketplaces

• Real Estate Search Solution of the Year: Entera

• Land Resource Marketplace of the Year: LandGate

Leasing and Leasing Management

• Residential Leasing Platform of the Year: Best Egg

• Overall Lease Management Company of the Year: Leasecake

Property Closing

• Appraisal Solution of the Year: Apprise by Walker Dunlap

Data and Analytics

• Real Estate Analytics Platform of the Year: HqO

•Residential Data Management Platform of the Year: Cloudastructure

• Overall Data Management Platform of the Year: Cherre

Facilities Management

• Preventative Maintenance Solution of the Year: Fyxt

• Property Maintenance Platform of the Year: Mezo

• Facilities Management Innovation of the Year: FM:Systems

Insurance

• Home Insurance Innovation of the Year: QUBIE

Construction Tech

• Building Materials Innovation of the Year: Prime Wall Framing System, BamCore

• Construction Robotics Solution of the Year: Skyline Robotics

• Overall Construction Tech Solution of the Year: TestFit

Home Improvement

• Home Improvement Management Solution of the Year: Freemodel

• Overall Home Improvement Platform of the Year: Curbio

Industry Leadership

• Overall PropTech Solution of the Year: Easy Knock

Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized

Hartford, CT – Robinson+Cole announced that 78 of the frm’s lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2024.

Of the 78 lawyers from across the frm’s practice groups and offces named to the list, 57 are from Connecticut. The frm continues to have the highest number of recognized lawyers in the state. Robinson+Cole also has the highest number of listed lawyers in Connecticut in the areas of environmental law and insurance law. Approximately, the top 5% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Additionally, fve lawyers were named the Best Lawyers 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” in the following offces, in the noted practice areas:

Hartford, CT – Best Lawyers 2024 “Lawyer of the Year”

• Jacqueline Pennino Scheib –Trademark Law

• Michael R. Enright –Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

• Theodore J. Tucci –Insurance Law

Boston, MA – Best Lawyers 2024 “Lawyer of the Year”

• Michael S. Giaimo –Land Use and Zoning Law

Stamford, CT – Best Lawyers 2024 “Lawyer of the Year”

• Patricia D. Weitzman –Health Care Law and Litigation-Health Care

A Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” designation is awarded to one lawyer in each of various high-profle specialties in large legal communities. These particular lawyers received the highest ratings among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity.

The fourth edition, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America was also released, and includes 23 Robinson+Cole lawyers. The “Ones to Watch” recognition is given to attorneys early in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the U.S. The frm has the highest number of lawyers to receive this designation in Hartford.

Best Lawyers awards are compiled by conducting peer-review surveys in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confdentially evaluate their professional peers. The 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America is based more than 16.1 million evaluations, which resulted in more than 76,000 leading lawyers being included – approximately 5% of all lawyers in the country.

View the list of all Robinson+Cole lawyers recognized at https://www. high-profile.com/robinsoncole-lawyersrecognized-as-best-in-america/.

GREEN

HP’s Annual Green Supplement

• Are you a firm that uses sustainable design methodologies in your work?

• Are you a firm specializing in green systems in building engineering?

• Are you a vendor offering state-of-the-art green products to the AEC/O community?

If the answer is yes to any of the above, High-Profile’s Annual Green Supplement is for you!

This popular issue is sent out as a pull-out supplement with our December 2023 edition!

Content and ad reservations are due November 17!

Email info@high-profile.com for more information.

People

Elaine Construction Hires Two

Newton, MA – Elaine Construction Company, Inc. announced it hired Kathleen Freitas, SPHR-SCP as director of people strategies and David Cushman as project manager.

The frm’s representatives say Freitas is a seasoned senior human resources leader with nearly 40 years of experience within the construction, utilities, and pharma industries. “Freitas’ expertise in employee relations, management development and training, succession planning and creative benefts packages to support attraction and retention will support the continued growth of our third-generation familyowned and operated business,” said Lisa Wexler, president, Elaine Construction.

Freitas is both SCP and SPHR certifed and serves on The Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts HR Committee.

Cushman brings extensive project

Erland Promotes Vincent to QCC

Burlington, MA – Erland

Construction announced the promotion of Steven Vincent to quality control coordinator. Representatives of the frm say that Vincent, who joined Erland in 2021 as a feld supervisor, exhibited a keen eye for quality early in his career with EMD Serono, a LEED Gold Certifed 149,000sf mixed-use life science building, and that being a quick study and having a strong desire to learn earned him the opportunity to hold a key

Vincent

management experience to his role at Elaine having worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance in its real estate group and for several builders honing his project management and analytical skills. “Cushman’s client-centered approach, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities dovetail nicely with Elaine Construction’s core values and business approach. We are thrilled to have him join our team,” said Tony Leonard, director of operations for Elaine Construction.

Weston & Sampson Welcomes McQuaide

Manchester, NH – Weston & Sampson recently welcomed Pat McQuaide, PE as a deputy federal program manager in its Manchester offce.

McQuaide, a military veteran with over 11 years of experience as a facility engineer and program manager, served in multiple assignments. He successfully led the execution of infrastructure planning, design, construction, maintenance, and

sustainment. Most recently, he directed maintenance and construction activities for 655 facilities in New England and upstate New York valued at $1.6 billion.

McQuaide will work with the frm’s federal clients to ensure effcient delivery of engineering, design, and post construction award services to meet mission requirements. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in New Hampshire.

Three Join Copley Wolff

Boston – Copley Wolff Design Group announced it has welcomed three new members to its growing team.

Emily Hunt, PLA, ASLA brings 10 years of experience working on a variety of public and institutional projects. She joins Copley Wolff from her recent position at Warner Larson in South Boston where she managed multiple schoolyard, playground, and athletic feld projects throughout New England. She will play an integral role in managing frm projects; mentoring staff; and coordinating and working closely with clients, consultants, and design teams.

Abby Derick recently received an Honor Award from the Boston Society of Landscape Architects for her “Discovery Forest” project and a separate Merit Award for her contribution to “Creating

Community Vision for Indian Orchard.” She previously worked as a gardener at Brooklyn Bridge and Prospect Parks in New York and will be contributing direct planting knowledge and graphic support to several Copley Wolff projects.

Molly Wimberg previously interned with SMMA in Cambridge, Mass., creating renderings for a range of signifcant projects. She will be providing graphic and drafting support as a member of several Copley Wolff project teams.

role in Erland’s Quality Program. In his new role, Vincent will focus on the continual improvement of the overall quality culture on all of Erland’s construction projects. He will collaborate with operations to perform quality audits, onsite inspections, and warranty investigations, as well as attend subcontractor pre-mobilization meetings and participate in third party envelope review process with the project team, design team, and owner.

Campbell Named to LNH Class of 2024

Concord, NH – North Branch

Construction announced that Joseph H. Campbell has been named to the Leadership New Hampshire (LNH) Class of 2024. Campbell, a principal of the frm since 2014, was named president of North Branch Construction in 2018.

“I am very pleased and excited about this opportunity with Leadership New Hampshire,” said Campbell. “I am looking forward to the unique and valuable educational opportunity that Leadership New Hampshire provides and the many talented and accomplished

Campbell

leaders that I will meet on this journey.”

Leadership New Hampshire (LNH) is a statewide program whose mission is “building a community of informed and engaged leaders.” The 10-month long program brings together individuals from the private, nonproft, and public sectors from across the Granite State to learn about the complex issues facing New Hampshire, to make connections with one another, and to serve their communities and New Hampshire in positions of leadership and responsibility.

BPA Honors Sea-Dar ’s Jean Abouhamad

Dorchester, MA – The Boston Preservation Alliance (BPA) announced it presented its 2023 Susan Park President’s Award for Excellence to Jean Abouhamad, president and founder of Sea-Dar Construction. A structural engineer and real estate developer, Abouhamad founded the company in 1991 after a career working at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger.

Representatives of the BPA say Abouhamad has an eye for detail with a focus on restoring historic buildings, and that his background in construction has enabled him to bring enormous insight to owners and architects as they wrestle with the many options and considerations that arise throughout a project’s permitting, design, budgeting and construction process.

Koloski Named VP of Business Development

Farmington, CT – KBE Building Corporation announced that Bo Koloski has joined the frm as a vice president of business development, working with Allan Kleban, the frm’s current VP of business development, to transition leadership of business development to Koloski over the coming months.

His previous experience includes senior leadership positions with Shawmut Design and Construction, BOND, Site

Koloski

Specifc, and RDK Engineers (now NV5).

With more than 20 years in the AEC industry, Koloski’s focus will be on acquisition of new work, building on existing client relationships and establishing new connections. He will work closely with the senior leadership in KBE’s regional offces, which includes the Northeast region (Farmington and Norwalk, Conn.), the Mid-Atlantic region (Laurel, Md.), and the Southwestern U.S. region (Scottsdale, Ariz.).

Freitas Cushman

McQuaide

Derick Hunt Wimberg

Abouhamad

Colantonio Welcomes Two

Holliston, MA – Colantonio Inc. announced it recently hired Kevin Herlihy as project manager and Travis Kelley as assistant superintendent.

Herlihy joins the frm with 10 years of experience in project management, preconstruction, and structural engineering design. His background includes ground up, gut renovation and historic restoration work in the municipal, commercial, and biomanufacturing markets. Herlihy’s former employers include B.W. Kennedy & Co.; CTA Construction Managers; TLH Consulting; Linea 5, Inc.; and Structural Consulting Services.

Kelley brings four years of construction experience as a carpenter, project manager, assistant superintendent, and superintendent in the commercial and residential markets. His former employers

Sasaki Appoints New Associate Principals

Boston – Sasaki announced that Carla Ceruzzi, Philip Dugdale, Margit Liander, and Meredith McCarthy have been promoted to associate principal.

Carla Ceruzzi, AIA, LEED AP

include Acella Construction, Highland Development, Lincoln Carpentry and Remodeling, and GK Construction. He is trained in emergency planning, response, and recovery through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Kevin and Travis are solid members of our team,” said President George Willwerth. “They have the experience and energy we need to support the steady growth of our portfolio.”

Montana Earns Architecture License

Springfeld, MA – Dietz & Company Architects announced that James Montana, AIA has completed the Architectural Registration Examination and met all of the requirements for architectural licensure in the state of Connecticut, bringing the frm’s total number of registered architects to eight.

Montana

Montana joined Dietz & Company in January and is currently participating in the design and project management of a new senior center facility for the Town

of Wilmington, Mass. He has led the design teams for multiple award-winning projects.

Prior to working for Dietz, Montana worked for architectural frms in Massachusetts and Connecticut where he developed a specialization in design for mixed-used commercial and residential projects. He also has experience in designing boutique corporate interiors and campus planning for higher education.

Bowdoin Promotes Healey, Hires Carroll

Needham Heights, MA – Bowdoin

Construction announced that Rich Healey has recently been promoted to the role of project executive, and that Morgan Carroll has joined the frm as an assistant project manager.

Healey joined Bowdoin as a project manager in 2017, and was later promoted to senior project manager. He has managed numerous complex, multi-faceted projects during his six years with the frm. His experience spans multiple market sectors, including academic, corporate/industrial/ lab, and retail, in locations from Boston to Central Massachusetts.

A 37-year industry veteran, Healey brings expertise in budget and schedule management, planning and procurement, and overall project coordination among the various team members and stakeholders.

“We are excited to see Rich advance his career with our frm,” said Bowdoin president, Andrew Buckman. “He’s been a strong infuence within our operations group, and his promotion is

well-earned and much deserved.”

Carroll comes to Bowdoin with over four years of industry experience, servicing high-profle national client accounts such as Chick-fl-A and H&R Block.

“Morgan’s strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills are a great asset to our frm,” said Buckman. “Our clients will beneft from Morgan’s excellent attention to detail and customer-centric approach. She has hit the ground running, joining our project teams for new facilities we’re building for Reliant Medical Group, Cohasset Golf Club, and Boston Analytical.”

BD+C is an architect in Sasaki’s campus architecture practice with broad involvement in design, master planning implementation, and project management. She has signifcant experience working with institutional clients, and says she particularly enjoys projects that serve a diverse public. Her built experience includes academic, residential, student life, recreation and wellness, performing arts, and library spaces.

Philip Dugdale, ASLA, PLA is a landscape architect and co-director of Sasaki’s offce in New York. He is responsible for the realization of a wide range of projects from pop-up parklets and urban plazas, to large-scale landscape planning, public parks, and waterfront developments. He looks to create dynamic, experiential landscapes that integrate art, ecology and resiliency.

Margit Liander, AICP is a planner and project manager in both Sasaki’s urban and campus practices. She has extensive local and national master planning experience for large-scale communities, urban districts, park systems, and university campuses. She manages

complex multidisciplinary projects and works closely with a range of public and private sector clients.

Meredith McCarthy, AIA works in both the commercial architecture and corporate interiors markets, excelling at taking projects from initial programming through design and construction. She says she enjoys the problem-solving challenges that design presents, as well as the client relationships that emerge from meeting those challenges together.

Herlihy Kelley

Healey Carroll

Ceruzzi

Dugdale McCarthy Contact: Robert Duval, PE,

LEED

Calendar

AGC MA

Sept. 13 at 4:00 PM

The City of Neighborhood Series: The Embrace

Join AGC MA for this continued series where they present the challenges and successes of what it takes to build a new community through innovative building techniques. The presentation and tour will take place at Boston Common in Boston. The event will be followed by a reception with appetizers and a hosted bar.

ULI Boston

Sept. 13 at 5:30 PM

Elevate and Connect Fall Kickoff Social Kick off the fall season with an evening of networking, collaboration, and celebration. Enjoy drinks, hor d’oeuvres, and views of the Boston skyline while mingling with industry professionals. Registration is available for both members and non-members.

ACG VT

Sept. 13 at 4:00 PM

Burgers and Brews - Rutland

This event will be held at Casella Construction in Pittsford, Vt. The Burgers and Brews event is an opportunity for contractors, their staff, associates

and friends to gather over some food and drinks and to visit with the local community and leadership that helps build Vermont.

ABC ME

Sept. 14 at 8:00 AM

Fall Golf Classic

This annual golf classic will be held at Augusta Country Club in Manchester, Maine. The event begins at 8:00 a.m. and will end at 3:00 p.m.

CBC

Sept. 14 at 5:30 PM

Meet the CBC Board Fall Social Kick off the 2023-2024 program year with an opportunity to meet the Connecticut Building Congress board of directors and other industry professionals. Registration includes a two drink ticket with heavy appetizers.

HPMG

Sept. 20 at 8:00 AM

Trends Impacting Commercial Real Estate: Insights from Women Leaders in the Industry Register today to attend High-Profle Media Group’s frst in-person panel featuring powerhouse women leaders from the industry to unravel the mysteries

Next Issue

and challenges of the ever-evolving landscape of commercial real estate and higher education. It will be held at Winthrop Center in Boston.

ACG VT

Sept. 21 at 4:00 PM

Burgers and Brews - Montpelier

The Burgers and Brews event is an opportunity for contractors, their staff, associates and friends to gather over some food and drinks and to visit with the local community and leadership that helps build Vermont.

Construction Institute

Sept. 21 at 12:00 PM

2023 Golf Classic

This event includes an afternoon of golf, corn hole, and networking and will be held at Lyman Orchard Golf Club in Middlefeld Conn. Registration is limited to 144 players.

ACG VT

Sept. 27 at 4:00 PM

Burgers and Brews - Williston

The Burgers and Brews event is an opportunity for contractors, their staff, associates and friends to gather over some food and drinks and to visit with the local community and leadership that helps build Vermont.

CRE DEI Collaborative

Sept. 28 at 4:00 PM

2023 Boston CRE DEI Summit

The 2023 Boston CRE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit, presented by the CRE DEI Collaborative, is an opportunity to join industry professionals to share insights and strategies on how to meaningfully advance DE&I within commercial real estate. It will include insights about how leaders are integrating DE&I within their organizations, and sessions focused on how to make a meaningful impact on a company’s DEI initiatives.

NECA Philadelphia

Sept. 30 - Oct. 2

2023 NECA Convention

The NECA SHOW is where leaders of the $202 billion electrical construction industry convene each year to discuss the ever-changing, ever-growing business climate. Each year, NECA invites the entire industry to see the newest products and services, talk with company execs, and compare competitive products to fnd the right solution that benefts their frm’s effciency and proftability.

OCTOBER

Corporate & Interiors

Do you have clients in the corporate sector?

Do you design or build interiors? Are fit-ups and interior renovations keeping your team busy? We want to hear about your latest projects! Share your news, projects, and perspectives in next month’s issue!

Special Focus: J.E.D.I.

This issue also has a spotlight on stories related to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion ( J.E.D.I.) in the AEC industry. What is your firm doing to further justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in your workplace or community? Contribute your news and perspectives.

Editorial submissions are shared on HP’s daily newsfeed, weekly e-newsletter FastFacts Friday, as well as the High-Profile Monthly print and digital edition. Selected submissions are also posted to HP’s Facebook page, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

To submit content, email editor@high-profile.com. For advertising queries, email ads@high-profile.com.

ision Architects recently designed A S s new satellite offce space in Cleveland, hio. Read the full story in our October issue.

THE NEW GLOBAL STANDARD FOR URBAN BUILDING AND DESIGN HAS ARRIVED.

The largest Passive House office building in the world, The Offices at Winthrop Center uses 60% less energy than the average LEED Platinum rated building. Harnessing the power of fresh air, sunlight, thermal comfort, body heat, and airtight efficiency, there’s no building like it on Earth. Think precedent-setting sustainability…enhanced by unprecedented amenities. Think Beyond