Restoration and Renovation

Marr Scaffolds the Top of the Pru

Boston – The top three floors of the Prudential Tower in Boston – levels 50, 51 and 52 – are being redeveloped to make way for the new View Boston observation deck.

When the project is completed in 2023, a new, 3-level indoor/outdoor, 360-degree observation deck will open to the public, providing panoramas of the city of Boston and beyond. Boston Properties is owner and manager of the Prudential Tower and is leading development of View Boston.

One highly visible component of the renovation project included the replacement of the original Prudential signage hanging on the north and east sides of the tower on the 52nd floor with

Scaffold ties were installed every 7 feet out of caution for high wind speeds. energy-efficient, LED illuminated letters. In 2021, Marr Scaffolding Company’s (MSC) Scaffold Division contracted with Turner Construction to install a solid, temporary wall along the perimeter of the mechanical room on level 51 for the room’s partial demolition, and to install scaffolding along the facade of levels 51 and 52 for crews to access and replace the existing signage.

Marr installed the temporary wall around the 51st floor’s mechanical room. Constructed of Aluma Beam, Aluma Strongbacks and fire-rated plywood, the wall reached 21 feet high and was designed to keep demolition debris inside and the elements outside during interior renovation work.

Following this, Marr installed scaffolding 50 feet high from the 51st floor on both the east and west sides, rising 750 feet above ground level. Starting with the east side of the tower and later moving on to the west side, an average crew of four scaffolders per day built the staging over two weeks’ time using Systems scaffolding, steel plank and fire-rated debris netting. Scaffold ties were installed every 7 feet out of caution for high wind speeds while planks were secured to prevent uplift; both the scaffolding and temporary walls were built to withstand winds up to 140 mph. Custom-designed steel ties were installed at level 52 to accommodate the existing glass panels.

Additionally, MSC’s Shoring Division built secure work decks at the penthouse level erecting eight shoring towers for the installation of new cooling towers on the roof. The towers extended 12 feet above roof level and were topped with three layers of cantilevered steel cribbing with a rigging capacity of 2,000 pounds each. These secure work decks were built for Boss Steel to hoist new steel framing above the roof level, which was used by Northeast Mechanical to rig the cooling towers into place.

All materials used by Marr were loaded by hand into the Prudential freight elevators.

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Working at approximately 700 feet above ground level, a Marr scaffolder secured plank to the scaffold to prevent uplift.

Marr installed scaffolding along the facade of levels 51 and 52 of the Prudential tower for crews to access and replace the existing signage.

Abbot Completes Masonry Repair

Boston – Abbot Building Restoration Co. recently completed a comprehensive masonry repair project at the Porcellian Club, located just outside the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. The Porcellian Club is located at 1324 Massachusetts Avenue above first floor retail space.

As this historic 5-story brick building is a part of the Harvard Square Conservation District, Abbot was required to adhere to strict protocols set forth by the Cambridge Historical Commission. Working in conjunction with Wessling Architects of Braintree, Abbot performed significant repairs on the front and rear elevations overlooking the building’s scenic courtyards.

On the front elevation, Abbot’s work included repair and selected replacement of damaged brick, slate, and wood windows. Abbot also removed paint from all wood surfaces and repainted these areas. In addition, Abbot replaced damaged copper elements and flashing, and replaced all of the downspouts.

On the rear elevation, Abbot cut and pointed all mortar, and repaired and replaced selected damaged wood windows. In addition, Abbot installed interior storm windows and replaced two doors with custom, mahogany doors. Abbot also installed a new copper gutter, capped a non-working chimney, and scraped and painted the fire escape.

Due to the massive scope of work and the multiple subcontractors/trades involved, including masons, carpenters, roofers, and painters, the most challenging aspect of the project was the overall coordination and timing. To add to the complexity, the work had to be accomplished off pipe staging that was shared by the trades, on both elevations. Despite these challenges, the job was managed and completed in an efficient manner.

The Porcellian Club

Fulcrum Completes The Davis Agency HQ

Concord, NH – Fulcrum is celebrating its recently completed project for the Davis Agency in downtown Concord. Looking to grow its operational footprint, the Davis Agency turned to Fulcrum and the H.L. Turner Group Inc. to redesign the interior of its new 3,400sf, 2-story historic building.

The Davis Agency HQ / Photos courtesy of Fulcrum

Previously the home to an educational nonprofit organization, the new headquarters features conference spaces, a community area, cubicles, upscale appointments, and a spiral staircase that was original to the space. A fresh and coastal New England theme carries itself through the conference rooms and into the collaborative areas. The preserved spiral staircase leads directly to the second floor which houses new offices, a game area, and the executive suite.

The Fulcrum team, led by Bob Levesque and Marcus Swedberg, partnered with Boisvert Electric Co.; Marchand Painting; Merrimack Drywall,

(l-r): Daryl Luter, Fulcrum president, and Andy Davis, the Davis Agency president

The Davis Agency HQ Inc.; Optiline Enterprises; Paul White Company; Ponemah Contractor Supply; Portland Glass; SL Chasse Steel; and Steve Hawes Plumbing & HVAC; for this historic renovation project.

From Adventure Playgrounds to The Modern Playscape

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A rocket slide at a playground in Iowa / Photo by Carl Wycoff/Flickr

less on the sculptural and artistic qualities of the pieces and more on using natural materials to design site-specific equipment that is built into the landscape. The landscape itself often becomes a playing piece. The modern playscape is not only concerned with incorporating access to natural elements, but also strives to create customizable, modular, and flexible equipment, giving children the freedom and autonomy to imagine their own play space.

Looking back at history, playground design has been impacted by political events, technological advancements, and the influences of developmental psychology. Some concepts and designs reappear throughout playground history, while others disappear from the design forever as new ideas take hold.

Naomi Heller is a landscape and architectural associate at studioMLA Architects.

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