now + next | Issue 2 | 2016 by The Architectural Team

ISSUE 2: 2016

now+next UPWARD MOBILITY AT UPHAMS CORNER In the Uphamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corner neighborhood of Dorchester, Mass., developing more affordable housing remains a critical need, specifically new housing options, which are in short supply. Working with the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, the firm creatively combined adaptive reuse and new construction to transform the site of the beloved former St. Kevinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parish school and church building, vacant since 2008, into a mixed-use campus.

RISING SEA LEVELS: DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR WATERFRONT PROJECTS Michael Liu and Andrew Stebbins will join members of Fort Point Associates, Inc. and Halvorson Design at the ArchitectureBoston Expo, November 15-17 to discuss waterfront resiliency in response to long-term sea level rise. Coastal areas and flood plains present a significant challenge for developers — TAT is becoming an expert resource for this type of work, how so? ML | We spearhead projects with rising sea level challenges, and provide thoughtful solutions that will help preserve our cities, building by building. Behind any new waterfront project must be the understanding that as sea levels rise, the conditions under which waterfronts and nearby areas presently exist will not be the same as the conditions we’ll see long-term. What are some design considerations? AS| The strategy of elevating residential living space, is a necessary response

to the long-term challenges of sea level rise in order to safeguard projects in these areas. Although one logical solution to the problem is to raise habitable space above the street level, this straightforward solution of raising the first floor brings many new design challenges to a project, the problem of how to protect commercial space is an example. Commercial and retail space doesn’t typically work well if not at the ground level, so new design strategies to successfully maintain spaces with those functions must be developed. What major challenge does this create? AS | Many of the existing streets and pedestrian walkways are not typically located on the development property. So, we have to situate our habitable space significantly above those walkway levels. But what is the pedestrian experience if the surrounding structures are so much higher? We have had to explore new strategies for connecting

elevated buildings to existing street levels, making sure to maintain a relationship with the surrounding architectural context. Can you provide an example of a specific solution? ML | In order to respond to the latest FEMA flood insurance maps, the first floors of our recent projects in Lynn, Salem and East Boston, were designed as much as eight feet above the surrounding streets. In the case of the Lynn project, this was required even though the site is located several blocks from the ocean. What if a building does become inundated; how does egress work from a safety point of view? AS | For the Clippership Wharf project in East Boston, one special technical issue involved the fire stairways; typically stairways will discharge at the

Michael Liu, AIA NCARB Vice President + Principal

Andrew Stebbins, LEED AP Senior Project Manager

Progress Rendering of Clippership Wharf in East Boston, by Pictury| Client: Lendlease

street level, but in case of a flood event, those stairways might be underwater. Some stairs were able to egress onto the elevated courtyard; others toward the street were arranged to discharge above the flood elevation with exterior stairs leading to grade. Doors located below the flood elevation were outfitted with louvers which allows water intrusion to equalize pressure on the door making it able to be opened. Did you employ another solution for the Lovejoy development? ML | Yes, one egress per building spills out onto a raised wharf plaza above flood elevation which is then connected to the street plane via a stepped landscape design. Many projects directly on the water’s edge feature a “hard edge” approach — in pier form and/or concrete walls or riprap — is that always the case? AS | Instead of a hard edge, the Clip-

pership Wharf design team created a “living shoreline” featuring carefully selected vegetation that acts as a wave mitigator in a similar way that a typical stone riprap would. It’s a different way of treating the water’s edge. The living shoreline is just as effective, but has the advantage over riprap in that as sea level rises the vegetated areas will evolve as a mitigator.

so will an awareness that design issues will not be confined to ensuring building operability, but solving questions of building access through inundated neighborhoods and ultimately, strategies to ensure the survivability of the neighborhoods themselves.

What about the many regulatory and institutional factors?

TAT WATERFRONT PROJECTS

ML | Massachusetts has a very robust set of regulations regarding development along the waters’ edge. These regulations are founded on the premise that the public has rights over tidelands and any land created by filling tidelands as well as rights of access to the water’s edge. As a result, any proposed developments within such areas are subject to a rigorous permitting process designed to protect the public interest. As awareness of sea level rise increases

Battery Wharf, Boston, MA Building 114, Charlestown, MA Clippership Wharf, East Boston, MA Commercial Wharf, Boston, MA Harbor Place, Haverhill, MA Jefferson at Admiral’s Hill, Chelsea, MA Lincoln Wharf, Boston, MA Lovejoy Wharf, Boston, MA Village on the Waterfront, Providence, RI Chelsea Naval Hospital Campus, Chelsea, MA

DESIGN SOLUTIONS: ASSISTED LIVING By 2050, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to be 88.5 million, escalating the need for assisted living options. Demand and differentiation are heightening expectations of service, quality of environment, sustainability and thoughtful design considerations. Here are eight design strategies our team employs.

PROJECTS | The Residence at Riverbend, Ipswich, MA; Maplewood at Brewster, Brewster, MA PHOTOGRAPHY | Warren Jagger; Mary Prince

Creating innovative design approaches aimed at the sensibilities of not only the residents but also their family members, who are increasingly involved in the proactive care and wellbeing of their loved ones. This includes Wifi availability, intimate gathering areas, and quiet workspaces.

Exposure to natural light promotes elevated mood and reduces depression. Increasing window areas in common spaces is tempered with project-specific shading solutions and a sensitivity to building orientation, as this population often suffers from thinning irises, exacerbating glare. The result is an inviting atmosphere that increases the likelihood and frequency of visitation from family members and friends.

Elegant and amenity-rich environments which incorporate gracious furnishing along with wood, stone and other natural finishes for their biophilic effects helps to create a relaxing and healthful environment. This positively affects those in the space by reducing stress and improving cognitive performance, emotions and mood.

Because residents spend the vast majority of time onsite, environments should be stimulating, pleasurable and safe – with a growing emphasis on meaningful socialization and empowerment. Borrowing key attributes from hospitality models, designs now incorporate amenities such as spa and salon services, pools, dining style alternatives, fitness centers and classes, and art and media rooms.

To keep residents engaged, open and semi-open plans enable visual connections between the various program elements. Combined with looping circulation patterns to avoid dead-ending, such an approach provides sequenced destinations to encourage ambulation, reduce back-tracking and provide a richer interior architecture experience.

Addressing the complex needs and varying acuity levels of this population requires a design approach that respects the need for independence, while providing creative solutions for promoting wellness, engagement, socialization and dignity. An increase in providing distinct care models under one roof helps ease transitions for residents whose needs are likely to fluctuate over time.

Growing awareness of the stresses that exacerbate memory impairment are critical to the design of memory-support wings. Secure enclosures with calming views of the outdoors, and simple circulation patterns reduce “elopement” impulses. The interior environment requires added lighting control to moderate “sundowning” the agitation in memory care residents often associated with dusk and a growing preponderance of shadow.

Eco-conscious Boomers are looking at assisted living options that adopt green methods such as meeting EPA Energy Star Standards, utilizing renewable energy sources like solar power, improving indoor air quality use low VOC paint/carpets and instituting water conservation measures.

RESTORED + NEWLY BUILT = TRANSFORMED Champions of the transformative power of adaptive reuse and historic preservation since the 1970s, the firm brings new life and use to once-beloved buildings that have been left derelict – most recently Uphams Crossing in Dorchester, MA. The team’s designers strive to restore civic pride to residents of the communities, while helping to attract new economic activity and development. “Our passion is to preserve beautiful old buildings for future use, but we aim to accomplish more than that,” says Bob Verrier, founder and managing principal. “As trusted advisors and active listeners, we are dedicated to creating positive and lasting transformation in the communities we serve.” The 102,000-square-foot project delivered 20 units of permanent affordable housing for homeless

families, and another 60 units of workforce housing. In addition, the former school building houses a resident lounge, a fitness room, community meeting spaces, a computer lab and other shared amenities as well as office space for the onsite resident service coordinator hired in partnership with St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children. The transit-oriented plan capitalizes on its walking distance to bus and commuter rail services, and onsite Zipcar, as well as connecting to the surrounding vibrant business districts. “Uphams Crossing helps address family homelessness by providing permanent supportive

units for the most vulnerable families,” says POUA President Lisa Alberghini, “and it offers thoughtfully designed and centrally located affordable housing for the community at large. This project is a strategic and creative endeavor that serves as a successful example of public and private partnerships working collaboratively for the greater good.”

Uphams Crossing is a strategic and creative endeavor that serves as a successful example of public and private partnerships working collaboratively for the greater good. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; LISA ALBERGHINI, President, POUA

PHOTOGRAPHY | Gustav Hoiland

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As the urban cultural center of the Pioneer Valley, with an architecturally diverse and historic core, Springfield’s downtown is transforming into a destination to live, work, and play. Redevelopment and adaptive reuse serve as strong, positive steps forward, creating a catalyst for wide-spread neighborhood revitalization. By conserving the character and integrity of Springfield’s neighborhoods we help to create powerful, prosperous and enlivened communities.

These buildings serve as hubs, creating natural foot traffic and anchoring revitalized neighborhoods - they create local jobs and strengthen the City’s economy; thereby improving residents’ quality of life and proactively addressing the changing needs of Springfield now and for the long term. — Bob Verrier, FAIA, NCARB President, Managing Principal + Founder | The Architectural Team, Inc.

1 Cumberland Homes 2 Court Square 3 Museum Park Apartments 4 Forest Park Apartments

5 Outing Park I & II 6 Concord Heights 7 Maple Commons 8 City View I & II

9 Indian Motorcycle 10 Mason Square II 11 Colonial Estates 12 East Brook Apartments

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1 Albany Tower, Trinity Financial, Boston, MA 2 The Gateway Residences on Washington, Hub Holdings, Lynn, MA 3 A.O. Flats at Forest Hills, The Community Builders, Boston, MA; Rendering by Design Architect, Stephen Chung, AIA, LEED AP

EVENTS + OPENINGS TAT recently celebrated the Grand Openings of The Residence at Five Corners, Easton, MA; The Residence at Salem Woods, Salem, NH; The Lofts at Loomworks, Worcester, MA; Bedford Green, Bedford, MA; and Uphams Crossing, Dorchester, MA. Recent Groundbreakings were celebrated at Treadmark, Dorchester, MA; The Sibley Building, Rochester, NY; and Forestdale Park, Malden, MA.