ISSUE 2: 2015
now+next LOVEJOY WHARF REVITALIZED. The award-winning restoration of Lovejoy Wharf into a LEED Gold Certified mixed use development has generated new outdoor public space facilitating continuous connectivity and access along the Boston waterfront — successfully linking the North End, West End and Charlestown neighborhoods and welcoming Converse, Inc., to their new world headquarters at 160 North Washington Street.
Campus Architecture — Integrating New + Old College campuses represent a combination of new and old architectural styles. The expansion of campuses raises challenges and opportunities with regard to restoring and maintaining existing buildings and planning new spaces. The Architectural Team has been sought out for their experience in campus design by long-standing clients such as Curry College. Michael Liu, AIA, NCARB, Principal, remarks on the subject in the June issue of Commercial Building Products.
When building new, should new buildings look like old ones or should there be architectural diversity and experimentation? The question really extends to any architectural context containing original, stylistically traditional buildings. We generally take the position that the contemporary buildings should be stylistically identifiable as contemporary, but strongly related to their architectural context in massing and materiality. Sometimes diversity and experimentation is called for, particularly if it reflects a unique programmatic function that would be served by calling attention to itself, but in general the architect has a responsibility to maintain and reinforce contextual coherence.
How are new facilities integrated aesthetically and architecturally into the fabric of a campus? New facilities integrate first in massing and secondarily in building form and patterning. This does not necessarily mean reproducing the massing of surrounding buildings, nor replicating formal elements or window patterning, etc. Sometimes new facilities are best integrated by serving as a foil to buildings in their context. In cases where the fabric of the campus contains an existing important, distinctive element, the new facility can serve as a backdrop to an iconic neighbor. Thirdly, buildings integrate in the choice of materials and color, which often have the greater initial impact than massing and patterning. What are the challenges in preserving and renovating existing campus buildings with historical or architectural merit? The biggest initial challenges are usually dimensional — does the building have sufficient depth for the uses proposed, or is it too deep
Michael E. Liu, AIA, NCARB Vice President + Principal mliu@architecturalteam.com
to use economically? Does it have sufficient floor to floor dimension to provide adequate ceiling height? Structural issues are also critical, particularly in older buildings framed with interior wood bearing walls. Are there sufficient windows to serve the new purposes? It is often not possible to create new window openings in an older building and still preserve the integrity of the original architecture. How do you decide if a building is worth saving? Are landmark buildings being lost on campuses? Many factors and variables come into play when deciding whether to save a building – structure, environment, configuration, historical importance. Our orientation is always in favor of finding ways in which significant historic structures can not only be saved, but be put back into active service as an asset. We feel the most successful historic projects are those which extend the useful life of the building. To read the full article please go to www.architecturalteam.com
RECOGNITION Preservation Massachusetts recognizes eight TAT projects at the 2015 Paul E. Tsongas Awards Dinner:The Converse + Hoffman Buildings, Boston; Voke Lofts, Worcester;The Rice Silk Mill Apartments, Pittsfield; Ames Privilege Apartments, Chicopee; Washington Park, Boston-Roxbury; Chestnut Park Apartments, Holyoke; Outing Park, Springfield; Wayne at Blue Hill, BostonRoxbury & Dorchester. Mattapan Teen Center, Mattapan, MA, was awarded a Boston Preservation Alliance 2015 Preservation Achievement Award.
Lovejoy Wharf Revitalized.
Client | Related Beal Photography | Gustav Hoiland + Roberto Farren (Bottom)
Following nearly 100 years of haphazard exterior building modifications, and more than a decade of proposed redevelopment ventures, Lovejoy Wharf, a significant waterfront parcel knitting together Boston’s North and West End, has been revitalized.
Photography | Andy Ryan
Voke Lofts, Worcester, MA, received the NAHMA 2015 Vanguard Award for Major Rehab of a Non-housing Structure, and a Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Silver Hammer Award.
asterplanned and designed by the firm, the project included the demolition of one of two existing ninestory industrial brick structures on the site, and the renovation and addition of a two-story glass and steel addition to the top of the remaining building.
Photography | Warren Jagger
Valley Brook Village, Basking Ridge, NJ, was honored with the NAHMA 2015 Vanguard Award for New Construction of a small property.
The industrial aspects of the original 1900’s structure including brick walls, concrete floors, and steel columns have been preserved. The construction of a near one acre landscaped wharf structure creates new public access to waterfront space as well as a platform for a 7,000 square foot pavilion, now the Converse Rubber Tracks recording studio and retail store. The historically sensitive renovation and addition to the highly visible early 20th century mercantile structure provides for its long-term preservation and stewardship. While the striking glass and steel addition to the existing
Photography | Shelly Harrison
structure presents an important and iconic gateway marker to traffic entering the city from the north, the addition of the publicly accessible 30,000 square foot wharf space with its retail frontage and pavilion provides a previously unavailable waterfront connection between the historic North End and the West End neighborhoods, representing a significant public activity space, including a venue for musical performance.
Curtain Lofts, Fall River, MA, received the National Community Development Association 2015 Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award.
Photography | Courtesy WinnDevelopment
WATERTOWN ON THE RISE As the fastest growing town in Massachusetts, Watertown is in a development boom – from new residential and mixed use developments to hotels, parks, retail shops and restaurants. The draw of Watertown is not only its proximity to Boston and Cambridge, but the large number of planned projects promising to transform the area into a lively live-work-play, 24/7 neighborhood. The Architectural Team has completed three projects in Watertown in the last 12 months with a fourth to be completed in 2016. ELAN UNION MARKET
Elan Union Market is a new 282 unit apartment complex and mixed use development. This development will stretch 700 feet along Arsenal Street, providing more than 11,000 square feet of resident amenity space and 10,000 square feet of retail space. The project has two buildings which are attached by an elevated, elegant glass walkway – a key defining feature of the project. Running along the complex will be a new sidewalk and a 10-foot-wide bicycle path, helping to link the Community Path to Watertown Square and to create a lively and engaging pedestrian connection.
THE RESIDENCE AT WATERTOWN SQUARE Located in the heart of downtown Watertown within, close proximity to neighborhood amenities, this new assisted living community provides residences with an innovative and attractive environment that combines comfort with modern services and conveniences. The 75 unit community provides residents with integrated amenity spaces that promote interactivity, wellness, and independence. These amenities include a dining room, cafe, living rooms, library, media room, activity room, and an enclosed outdoor patio. Greystar, LLC | Rendering by TAT
BELL WATERTOWN Completed in 2014, this upscale 155 unit apartment community is situated on 11.6 acres, adjacent to Walker Pond. The design includes the rehabilitation of an area surrounding the pond, providing public access walking paths and landscaped seating areas, creating a village-style setting for the development. The program is comprised of two fourstory buildings and seven townhomes; resident amenities include a one-story community building with an outdoor pool, lounge and cafe, fitness center and media room.
WATERTOWN MEWS A new 385 unit art deco inspired multifamily complex, consisting of five four-story buildings with features such as soaking tubs, gas fireplaces and gourmet custom kitchens. Phase One of the master plan, Repton Place, was completed in 2006, and includes 179 units, and courtyard space with a playground. Phase Two, completed in 2014, includes 206 mixed-income units, a health club and community center. The master plan successfully introduces a new street network and exterior courtyard spaces, reducing the scale of the 13-acre parcel to a comfortable residential community. Amenities include a hotel-inspired saltwater pool, sundeck, pet spa, outdoor BBQ area, 24-hour fitness club and yoga studio. Mill Creek Residential | Photography by Gustav Hoiland
Active Living. Creating an engaging and sociable surrounding is at the heart of the design for Avalon Marlborough, a new 24-acre multifamily, 350 unit community development designed by the firm. The inviting common spaces are casually sophisticated, with accents of striking tonal grey limestone, rich wood tones and a rich palette of cobalt, emerald and pumpkin hues. Detailing includes the use of mirrors, natural fibers, abstract art and large focal lighting to add elements of interest throughout. The design of the property is comprised of townhomes, midrise buildings and direct entry apartments, an office center, club house, pool and amenity spaces – creating an energetic environment that truly embodies modern living and convenience.
Client | AvalonBay Communities Photography | Mike Rixon
PRESS A Good Fit for Converse Banker and Tradesman April 2015 Time and Time Again Snap Magazine April | May 2015 Active Adult Community Draws Inspiration from Its Past Rendering of St. Kevin’s Redevelopment by Terry Cracknell.
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Builder Magazine May 2015 E-voke-ing the Past Retrofit Magazine
N E W S U P D AT E S O N S E L E C T TAT P R O J E C T S
Adden Mill
By Robert J. Verrier, AIA, NCARB July | August 2015 To read full articles and other firm news, please visit:
Lowell, MA Client: WinnDevelopment | Contractor: Dellbrook Construction
www.architecturalteam.com.
Adden Mill, located in the historic Hamilton Canal District of Lowell, MA, is the final development of three historic restoration and adaptive reuse projects on adjacent sites for the firm. The mill’s transformation will result in a 75 unit apartment complex, with 60 market-rate and 15 affordable units. Adden Mill and its sister sites, Counting House Lofts (completed in 2015) and Loft 27 (completed in 2008) play an important role in the economic growth, creation of affordable housing, and the preservation of the historic architectural fabric of Lowell. The development will kick-off construction in early 2016.
EVENTS
Metropolitan Warehouse Cambridge, MA Client: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The firm has been selected to collaborate with Ensamble Studio on an exciting and challenging adaptive reuse project for Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). As Architect of Record, working with Ensamble Studio as Design Architect and WinnCompanies as Development Manager, TAT will participate in the conversion of the Metropolitan Warehouse Storage building, located at the center of the MIT Campus, into a mixed use building including an undergraduate dormitory, a dining hall, a “Maker Space” workshop, and a student study and meeting space. The project is in the Schematic Design phase.
The grand opening of Laurelwood at the Pinehills, Plymouth, MA, – a new 77,000 sf assisted living community. Groundbreaking ceremonies include Bedford Green, Bedford, MA – a new 55+ veteran housing development on a VA campus, and The Residence at Salem Woods, Salem, NH – a new 72,600 sf senior living community.
TEAM St. Kevin’s Redevelopment
TAT welcomes new hires Dana
Dorchester, MA Client: Planning Office for Urban Affairs | Contractor: Bilt Rite Construction
Hareli, Anahita Kianous, Kim
The St. Kevin’s Redevelopment is located in the heart of Upham’s Corner in Dorchester, MA, and shares a corner with the historic Pilgrim Church and the Strand Theater. The former St. Kevin’s campus is being repurposed as 80 units of mixed-income affordable workforce housing, including a community space on the ground floor in the newly constructed building. The development includes three multi-story buildings, two newly constructed and the adaptive reuse of an existing building. The project will be completed in August 2015.
McDonald, Julie Smith, Nathan Thomas to the architectural team; Kaitlyn Burdick, Connie Fong, Jillian Gaviani to interiors; and Aisling Roche to marketing. Congratulations Mary McCarthy, AIA on becoming a registered architect in Massachusetts.
For more information, please contact Jess Ruhlin at 617.889.4402. To subscribe to an electronic version of tat|now+next, please visit www.architecturalteam.com and click on the News section. Copyright ©2015. 50 Commandant’s Way at Admiral’s Hill Chelsea MA 02150 T 617.889.4402 F 617.884.4329 www.architecturalteam.com
+fyi The top 2 floors are a new addition to the original 1900 structure, creating a showcase for Converse products on the 10th floor. The rehabilitation was completed on a fast track of 3 years. 8 floors are connected by a centrally-located serpentine staircase made from reclaimed wood from the wharf. Prior to the redevelopment the basement of 160 North Washington Street flooded twice a day.
Photography | Gustav Hoiland