Commercial Architecture July 2017 - 22

FEATURE

adaptive reuse
sonry, stabilized in 2009, had to be redone when the project finally went ahead
in 2014," Lane continued.
In addition, there were some siting issues. The site is bordered by Green
River conservation land. The project was subject to riverbank stabilization work
before the permeable public Riverwalk was constructed. The Riverwalk also required designated extra parking for walkers.
OTHER DESIGN CHALLENGES

A significant design challenge faced by Finegold Alexander Architects was evaluating which buildings to keep, noted Alexander. "As with any large complex
spanning over 100 years, many alterations and poor-quality additions were
made to the original mill brick buildings," he added.
The design team identified the most historic and usable eight structures, all
built between 1895 and 1924. The re-use of these buildings required demolition
of more than 80,000 sq. ft. of useless, dilapidated in-filled sheds and warehouse,
many from the 1940s and 1950s. This allowed the remaining 90,000 sq. ft. to be
economically reused and also available for federal and state historic tax credits.
An additional benefit of the demolition was the creation of new entry courtyards and exterior recreation spaces.
WINDOWS

Windows were a particular challenge at Cable Mills, noted Lane. "Because the
Above. The units feature high, wood-beamed ceilings; large, steel replica operable windows; and energy-efficient mechanical systems.

complex was built and added to at different times in its history, there was a
hodge-podge of window openings ranging from some less than 4 ft. tall to others standing at more than 9 ft. There were more than 20 types of windows at
the site ranging from traditional steel industrial windows, double hungs, awning

Below. The complex features a variety of sustainable features, including water-saving fixtures, energy-efficient
mechanical systems, low-VOC finishes, efficient lighting, native vegetation, and a walkable neighborhood.

windows, to captured hopper windows, where the middle of the window pivots.
Since historic tax credits were involved, National Park Service approval was required for the replacement windows."
According to Bill Wilder, director of technical sales for the window supplier,
Graham Architectural Products, York, PA, arriving at the right solution wasn't
easy. "You're trying to replicate with insulated glass an appearance that basically
meets the minimal amount of material required to hold a single piece of glass.
So that becomes a challenge-trying to meet the historic criteria while meeting
the structural requirements and the enhanced thermal performance as well."
Cable Mill Lofts was named as the award winner for Biggest Impact Rural/
Suburban by Preservation Massachusetts, Plymouth, MA, a non-profit preservation organization dedicated to preserve the state's historic heritage. The award
was presented in May 2017 at the organization's annual Power of Preservation
Awards event.
Bringing the Cable Mills project to completion was made possible by a high
degree of patience, planning, and cooperation. It stands as a testament to the
vision of those who conceived it and saw it through. CA

Want more information? To download the information listed below,
visit commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/1707cablemills

COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE

JULY 2017

commercialarchitecturemagazine.com

Finegold Alexander Architects

Cable Mills

Complete project team and
funding list.

Preservation Massachusetts

http://www.commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/1707cablemills http://www.commercialarchitecturemagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture July 2017