11/9/2012, Quincy, MA — J. Calnan & Associates, R.G. Vanderweil Engineers and Elkus Manfredi Architects are pleased to announce that their client, Shire HGT, has achieved LEED Gold Certification on the renovation of its existing office building in Cambridge, MA.

The project team worked collaboratively to renovate 17,000 SF of the first floor office space at 185 Alewife Brook Parkway. The scope of work included reconstruction of the existing offices and the addition of a new café. All of the work took place in a fully occupied building.

The project had a fast-track design-construction schedule. Therefore, in order to keep with the pace of the project, the LEED administration team opted to submit to the USGBC/GBCI at one time during construction, in lieu of separate design and construction submissions. This allowed the design team to issue a tight construction package and collaborate on the LEED submission with the construction team to issue one thorough submission to LEED during construction.

The team used BIM to model the unique building architecture. Through the BIM analysis, the design was able to maximize a daylight optimization scheme for Shire’s occupants while simultaneously controlling the glare of a low-horizon sun. As part of the daylight harvesting program, automated window screens were installed that filter the amount of sunlight entering the space which assist in minimizing solar heat gain and thus assisting to maintain temperature and glare for tenant comfort and minimize energy use for cooling. Additional green elements include an ASHRAE compliant design in terms of the ventilation, completely new air handling systems with full economizer capability; Carbon Dioxide monitoring in rooms of high occupancy; Carbon Dioxide monitoring at the air handling units; high efficiency/low-flow plumbing fixtures; low mercury lighting; the use of all certified wood products from wood blocking to the finished wood panels; no/low VOC paints; metal studs containing recycled aluminum; sheetrock made from previously recycled gypsum product; and the use of all new products (from flooring products to ceiling tiles) that contained recycled content. The team also recycled over 90% of construction debris.

While the team was charged with the goal of LEED Silver Certification, after the initial submission to the USGBC/GBCI for review and the positive LEED reviewer comments, it was immediately evident that the team should transition to a higher goal and target LEED Gold certification. With a quick challenge to the initial credit assessment by the entire design team, including Shire personnel, the USGBC/GBCI reviewed the appeal and the project was awarded Gold Certification.

The project team achieved LEED Gold Certification while meeting the project’s aggressive 20-week schedule. This major challenge was accomplished through a thorough planning and design process as well as by scheduled review sessions at key decision points in the project to ensure that the project goals and critical milestones were fulfilled. The team’s efficient procurement of materials and equipment was critical to receiving materials in time to meet the schedule milestones.

David Forney, Director of Capital Projects for Shire said: “In all of HGT, there are only two projects certified LEED GOLD by the US Green Building Counsel (USGBC). Based on the completion date, the 185 ABP project was the first. We are extremely satisfied with the results and the efforts of our construction manager, J. Calnan & Associates; architect, Elkus Manfredi Architects and our design partners R.G. Vanderweil. All have made an exceptional contribution to the advancement of Shire’s sustainability goals.”

Shire recognizes the environmental impact of commercial office buildings – from design and construction to operation and maintenance. These buildings require large amounts of energy while potentially creating a significant amount of waste.

Occupants and building managers face a host of challenges as they try to maintain a healthy, efficient, and productive work environment. Shire has risen to this challenge and is promoting energy and resource efficiency, waste reduction and pollution prevention practices, indoor air quality standards, and other environmental initiatives.

Through hard work, creative thinking, and sheer determination, the team completed a LEED Gold space that Shire’s employees can call home.