Design Solutions - Summer 2008 - (Page 18) The 329,000 square foot facility is designed to minimize impact on the environment and to provide a healthy indoor atmosphere for staff. Currently accommodating 1,000 BCBSMA employees, and designed to allow for expansion, the building was one of the largest LEED projects in Massachusetts. “This project was a great opportunity for us to demonstrate our expertise in the LEED certification process,” says Whitney Hammett, project manager from Mark Richey Woodworking, the AWI member firm who provided the architectural woodwork for the building. “We are fully committed to sustainable building practices and are pleased to see this trend in the construction industry,” he adds. Design of the building was done by the architectural firm of Margulies & Associates, located in Boston. The building includes offices, open work stations, a cafeteria/multi-purpose room, conference/training center, a major data center, childcare center and a 1,184-car parking structure linked directly to the main lobby by an allweather connection. Blue Cross Blue Shield Offices AT A GLANCE: S i lv e r C e r t i f i e d In addition to providing a state-ofthe-art workplace, the BCBSMA building is designed with the health and comfort of its employees in mind. It focuses on indoor air quality, natural light and integration with the building’s natural surroundings, all while reducing energy usage and costs. Many of the materials from the site were recycled and incorporated in to the design of the facility, from loam to gravel these materials were processed and reused. The building received a LEED-silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. “Wood was incorporated into the project as a way to introduce texture and natural materials into the working spaces,” notes BCBSMA’s Jesus Rivera. “In addition, we view wood as a renewable resource, and the use of it as a way to explaining the strong commitment we have towards improving the environment.” Wood is used in key areas. Cherry paneling brings beauty and warmth to public spaces. Cherry veneer doors are used throughout the building to extend a consistent visual theme. In all cases, only Forest Stewardship Council certified wood is used. “While an FSC Cherry has more minor defects than a non-FSC certified wood, we enjoy the more natural appearance of the FSC variety,” says Rivera. “In general the warm tone of 18 DESIGN SOLUTIONS I summer 2008
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