High Performing Buildings - Spring 2008 - (Page 43) Building History Originally built as the Harvard School in 1871 at a cost of $30,000, the building accommodated 900 grammar school students in 12 classrooms. The two-story building had a third floor Mansard roof, which was destroyed by fire in 1899. During the reconstruction, the former attic space under the mansard was enlarged into a full fourth floor with decorative pediments on each side. The school was converted to a municipal office building in 1942. The deteriorating parapet and chimneys were removed for safety reasons in the 1950s. After many partial renovations, the building, which was contaminated by mold, was evacuated in February 1999. Because the building required extensive remediation (lead and asbestos were also found in the building), the city had an opportunity to demonstrate that it could be a leader in redesigning © Dan Gair/Blind Dog Photo, Inc. Above-grade windows in the previously uninhabitable cellar regain lost space. buildings with historic preservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental sustainability as primary goals. B U I L D I N G AT A G L A N C E Building Name Cambridge City Hall Annex Location 344 Broadway, Cambridge, Mass. Redesign Prior to its redesign, visitors entered into the stairwell landing of a drab, poorly lit building that had a confusing layout, unclear signage, poor handicapped accessibility, and only one restroom for the entire building (located in the cellar). The new design provides a welcoming entry and lobby, large public meeting rooms, clear layout Size 33,216 ft2 Started October 2002 Completed February 2004 Use City hall with public meeting rooms, offices and art gallery Cost $11.76 million Distinctions LEED-NC Gold; Sustainable Buildings Industry Council, First Place Exemplary Sustainable Building Award 2006; Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award 2005; Environmental Design and Construction Excellence in Design Award Finalist in Government Category 2005; Building Design and Construction Innovation Award 2004 BUILDING TEAM Owner City of Cambridge, Mass. Architect and Interior Designer HKT Architects, Inc. Photo Courtesy of the Cambridge Historical Commission Architect of Record David Perry Architects, Inc. MEP Engineers Arup Structural Engineers Weidlinger Associates, Inc. Civil Engineers Beals and Thomas, Inc. Landscape Architect Hammer Design General Contractor Consigli Construction Co., Inc. Commissioning Agent Sebesta Blomberg Public Artist Mike Glier, commissioned by the Cambridge Arts Council PERFORMING BUILDINGS 43 S p the Old photographs and original architectural drawings from 1899 guided r i n g 2 0 0 8 restoration of the building. HIGH
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