Marc, today's charrette was terrific. Thank you for your truly generous collaboration. You've caused me to turn a mental corner. Until recently, I thought that that to do really intelligent buildings, we'd need the right clients, the right engineers, and a premium budget. Thanks to you, I now believe that to do intelligent buildings all we need is INTELLIGENCE!—and the guts to ask the simple questions until we get the answers, and the courage of our convictions to persuade others...

We can do this and it will change things. You've empowered us. Thanks. –Ellen

Harvard University Blackstone Station

Architectural design: Bruner Cott

This 40,000 sf historic bearing wall brick building was retrofitted to become the headquarters of Harvard’s University Operations Services. New steel studs were installed two inches inside the exterior walls and the walls insulated with open cell spray polyurethane foam. New windows and rigid foam on the roof completed the new thermal enclosure. Daylighting is a major priority. Other notable features include: site restoration/green space/bioswale to reduce and treat stormwater run-off; ground source heat pumps provide cooling and the adjacent steam plant provides heating through a valance convector hydronic system; enthalpy recovery and demand control ventilation; dual flush toilets and waterless urinals; low emitting materials; certified wood; close to 100% construction and demolition waste diversion from landfills. This is the oldest building to be certified LEED Platinum! Occupied 2006.

References:
Henry Moss AIA, Bruner Cott - 617 492-8400