High-Profile Blog Articles and commentary from high-profile.com

Belmont, Mass- IRC Solar Roof Systems, an affiliate of IRC Industrial Roofing Companies, ha recently completed a 186kW solar photovoltaic installation at Belmont Hill School, a private school in Belmont, Massachusetts. IRC and Belmont Hill School have entered into a Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). As a result, the School will reduce its annual energy costs from the system’s first day of operation and for the duration of the PPA.

The 778 panel project is one of the largest school-based projects in Eastern Massachusetts and the first commercial interconnection for the Belmont Municipal Light Department. The project covers 14,000 square feet on the roof of the School’s Jordan Athletic Center. According to IRC Solar Roof Systems, the solar power panels produce enough electricity to offset approximately 20% of the Athletic Centers annual electrical demand.

“Belmont Hill School is leading by example and deserves full credit for incorporating the renewable energy process into their sustainability goals, facility requirements and learning environment. Many schools in the Northeast can immediately benefit by solar because it now makes economic and environmental sense to do so,” said Kurt Penney, Business Development Specialist for owner/installer IRC Solar Roof Systems. “As part of the IRC Industrial Roofing Companies, our company is focused on the roof first. We’ll continue to provide ongoing roof maintenance in addition to complete solar support throughout the PPA term.”

IRC has worked with the faculty to integrate an educational component to allow students, teachers and parents to view real-time and historical data. A 40” flat screen monitor, installed in the athletic building, displays a 24/7 weather station and continual updates on the system’s production and environmental benefits of Belmont’s solar panel project.

“Belmont Hill School is excited to be at the forefront of bringing renewable solar energy to Belmont,” said Jay Bounty, CFO and Director of Operations. “It is our hope that the educational, environmental, and economic benefits realized from this solar installation will positively impact our students, our school, and the greater Belmont community for years to come.”

“The Belmont Municipal Light Department is proud to lead the way in Massachusetts as the first municipal light department to institute a comprehensive solar policy that allows our customers to participate in renewable energy initiatives,” said Jim Palmer, General Manager/CEO of Belmont Municipal Light Department. “Working with our Light Board, Advisory Board, Energy Committee and Sustainable Belmont, we all recognize the importance of making renewable energy a larger piece of our energy portfolio and we recognize and salute Belmont Hill for its responsible leadership in moving forward with this exciting project.”

Hamden, Conn – Hoffmann Architects, an architecture and engineering firm specializing in the rehabilitation of building exteriors, is pleased to recognize the professional accomplishments of its New York staff.

John Shreve Arbuckle, Assoc. AIA, 48, New York Business Development Manager for Hoffmann Architects, Inc., has been elected President of the New York/Tri-State Chapter of DOCOMOMO US. An international organization committed to the appreciation and protection of Modern architecture, DOCOMOMO is a working group for the Documentation and Conservation of Buildings, Sites, and Neighborhoods of the Modern Movement. As chapter president, Arbuckle will guide and oversee the organization’s efforts on behalf of Modern buildings and sites, and he will act as the main spokesperson for the organization.

The largest and most active DOCOMOMO chapter in the United States, the New York/Tri-State Chapter is distinguished by its efforts in communications and public outreach, including an e-newsletter, an online advocacy site, and a longstanding program of unique architecture tours. Over a year ago, the group also
established “Modern Conversations,” a series of public talks on Modern architecture.

The DOCOMOMO US New York/Tri-State Chapter has played a vital role in numerous major Modern architecture advocacy campaigns. For several years, the chapter has worked with the Port Authority to save the TWA Terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport. When the O’Toole Building in Manhattan was threatened with
demolition, the chapter organized a well-attended public talk with architect Albert Ledner, which was influential in amassing support for the building’s preservation. As part of a coalition, DOCOMOMO US New York/Tri-State also arranged a design charrette to explore re-use opportunities for Eero Saarinen’s Bell Laboratories complex in New Jersey, resulting in the publication of a book.

A longtime advocate for Modern buildings, Arbuckle is also Co-Chair of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter Historic Buildings Committee, and he serves on the North Atlantic Regional Council for the Society for College and University Planning. Arbuckle also serves on the Board of Directors of DOCOMOMO US. He lives in New York City.

Founded in 1977, Hoffmann Architects specializes in the rehabilitation of the building envelope. The firm’s work focuses on the exteriors of existing structures, diagnosing and resolving deterioration within facades, roofing systems, windows, waterproofing materials, plazas/terraces, parking garages, and historic and landmark structures. We provide consulting services for new building construction, as well as litigation and claim support. Our technical professionals investigate and correct damage resulting
from time and weather, substandard or improper construction, design defects, material failures, poor workmanship, structural movement, and stress.

Boston – Cassidy Turley FHO, a leader in the commercial real estate services field with extensive experience in the greater Boston office market, today announced that Spear Street Capital has selected the firm as its exclusive leasing agent for nearly 260,000-square-feet of office and retail space at 281 Summer Street and 321 Summer Street in the Fort Point Channel neighborhood of Boston’s Seaport District. The historic office buildings were constructed in 1910 (281 Summer Street) and 1911 (321 Summer Street) and have undergone significant renovations in recent years. Spear Street Capital will invest significant additional capital into the properties, including lobby enhancements and upgrades to the base building systems.

281 Summer Street is an eight-story, 165,000-square-foot building and 321 Summer Street is a nine-story, 95,000-square-foot building. Both facilities are perfectly situated minutes from public transportation and major highways, and steps from excellent dining and retail options. Thirty-four percent of the office space in 281 Summer Street is currently available for companies looking to relocate to one of Boston’s most exciting neighborhoods.

“We are excited to be part of the team for these buildings. Having available space in the Innovation District creates a great opportunity to add exciting, dynamic companies to our buildings,” said Glenn Verrette, Senior Managing Director, Principal at Cassidy Turley FHO. “The Seaport District is one of the hottest real estate submarkets in the country, and we are confident both buildings will be highly attractive destinations for tenants, especially due to the unparalleled location, amenities and access that the dynamic environment the Innovation District provides.”

NELSON a global architectural with offices in Downtown Boston, has been selected by Spear Street Capital to provide architectural and design services. Stacy Chambers, Managing Director, will lead the NELSON team.

“We are very excited about this opportunity to partner with Cassidy Turley and Spear Street Capital by providing design and planning services to their current and future tenants,” said Chambers. “Our three firms share an uncommon commitment to building and maintaining relationships with our clients and service partners, which makes Cassidy Turley the perfect addition to the team.”

North Andover, Mass – As the school year draws to a close, Nauset Construction will be putting the final touches on the newly constructed, environmentally-friendly 22-bedroom dormitory for Brooks School in North Andover, an independent college preparatory boarding and day school for grades 9-12. In addition to providing additional housing, the $3.3 million project created a learning opportunity for the students, whose ideas for sustainability were incorporated into the project’s design.

“We found that by integrating the Brooks students input into the sustainable design elements of the project, we were not only constructing a facility that lowers energy bills and life cycle operating costs, but presenting a learning opportunity as well,” said Nauset president Anthony Papantonis. “At Nauset Construction, we try to incorporate as many sustainable features as possible into all of our projects, but with our school and healthcare construction, we find that clients in those market segments are uniformly insisting upon sustainable practices.”

Recently named Chace House in honor of a long time trustee, the dorm was designed with input from the Brooks Institute for Sustainability, a student summer program focused on reducing the school’s environmental impact. Chace House will incorporate a number of elements vital to reducing operating and maintenance costs, including a heating system with a natural gas-fired burner that is 97.5 percent efficient; a high-efficiency building envelope with superior insulation to prevent energy loss; individual room thermostats with an automated system that can be programmed remotely; energy management systems with occupancy sensors; a cupola that releases warm air on hot days; solar lighting tubes in hallways that create natural day lighting; low-flow water facilities (including composting toilets) to reduce sewage bills; and drought tolerant native exterior plantings and water-efficient landscaping. “Sustainability is a mainstay in most of our institutional projects at this point,” said Papantonis. “It’s just a matter of how far the client wants to push the envelope.”

The facility will also feature high efficiency double-paned windows, a zinc roof (which lasts 80-100 years and requires no maintenance), zinc and clapboard siding, and a combination of hardwood, carpet and vinyl-tile flooring materials making use of recycled products where possible. Extra-thick insulation and sound-proof walls will also be built into each room to reduce noise. In addition to the sustainable features, the project will also include a 600-square-foot common area big enough for all building residents to gather; an outdoor seating area for students to collaborate with dorm faculty; a rear patio for cookouts and gatherings; and a small lounge/study area for after-hours homework help.

High energy costs can quickly land hospitals and other types of healthcare facilities in critical condition. In these facilities energy waste hurts. Hot transformers disrupt power to critical equipment, and cooling systems work overtime to dissipate the heat. What suffers most? System reliability and the bottom line.

The problem could be third harmonic currents, which plague medical facilities with a high density of sensitive electronic loads: computers, servers, monitoring equipment, diagnostic systems and high-tech instrumentation upon which hospitals rely. It has long been recognized that harmonic currents, particularly the 3 rd harmonic,flowing in a wye distribution system serving multiple computer loads, are detrimental to system operation. Problems caused by these harmonic currents include: overheated transformers, switchgear, and wiring; random circuit breaker tripping; and reduced usable system capacity.

The cure is Harmonics Limited, Inc.’s (HL) patented Harmonic Suppression System (HSS®) that totally
eliminates the third harmonic current from the hospital’s electrical distribution system. The HSS increases system quality, reliability, and provides sustained increased energy efficiency over the life of the electrical system. Most importantly, HSS technology reduces energy usage (and electric bills) from the instant it’s installed.

What causes 3rd-harmonic currents? The electronic equipment that healthcare facilities need most! These
devices draw power from the distribution system via their switch-mode power supplies (SMPS). Harmonic
currents are a direct result of the way in which the SMPS draws current from the system. The input circuit of an SMPS is a bridge rectifier that changes the 120 volt AC input to DC. Although the AC voltage is a sine wave, the rectifier draws its current in spikes. These spikes require that the AC supply system provide harmonic currents, primarily 3rd, 5th and 7th. These harmonic currents do not provide power to the SMPS, but they do take up distribution system capacity and increase system energy consumption. The principal harmonic current is the 3rd (180 Hz) and the amplitude of this current can be equal to or even greater than that of the fundamental current. The only way to solve the issues caused by harmonic currents is to remove the harmonics themselves. That’s the proven cure that HL’s Harmonic Suppression System provides.

HSS is the only technology that prevents the generation of the 3rd harmonic current at the source; the SMPS in the high tech equipment. From the moment the HSS is installed in the distribution system, the harmonics generated by the high-tech loads cease to exist. The result? A system-wide eradication of wasted energy. The distribution system can now handle more loads even in older hospitals with downsized neutrals. Plus, with HSS the facility can earn LEED credits and meet important targets toward becoming a “green” building.

The Harmonic Suppression System cuts costs by eliminating 3rd-harmonic currents and the associated heat they generate.
That means: Energy bills drop as much as 8%, with reduced waste and cooling expense;
Expensive service calls decline, with better system reliability;
Over-sized transformers and conduits become obsolete, with a “right-sized” distribution system
that handles more loads;
Existing transformers can be salvaged, by boosting efficiency and capacity without the cost of
replacing them; Energy efficiency increases, with a patented solution that can pay for itself over a short time period.

Unlike harmonic-mitigating transformers or solutions that “accommodate” the third harmonic by “over-sizing” transformers, conduits and switchgear; HSS does more. It entirely eliminates harmonic currents from existing everywhere within the system, at the source. The system has less current, less heat, less waste, lower electric bills and a real solution that pays for itself even as energy costs rise.

Planning a facility expansion? Need to replace a transformer? For maximum energy savings, consider Harmonic Suppression technology as a retrofit to an existing transformer; or as an integrated component of the transformer in the design of new construction.

For over 10 years, Harmonics Limited has been increasing energy efficiency with its’ proprietary leading-edge Harmonic Suppression Systems. The Company has helped thousands of facilities save money, boost reliability, and earn credit for their improved energy performance. www.harmonicslimited.com

Donald J. Moore is the CEO Harmonics Limited of New Haven, Connecticut.

Farmington, Conn and Columbia, MD – KBE Building Corporation (KBE) (www.kbebuilding.com) and CTA Construction (www.ctaconstruction.com) have been recognized by the Construction Management Association of America, New England Chapter, with the 2012 Project of the Year Award for the renovation of Beverly High School in Beverly, Massachusetts.

The $68 million project included a phased 113,000 square-foot renovation and a four-story, 147,000 square-foot addition. The existing 27,000 square-foot field house, 752-seat auditorium, kitchen, cafeteria, fitness room, and locker rooms were renovated, and the addition comprised of new classrooms, including two 1,026 square-foot culinary classrooms, a library, a health center, science labs, and administrative offices.

“It is such an honor for the KBE-CTA Construction team to receive this award,” said KBE President and CEO Mike Kolakowski. “This renovation was a great accomplishment for our team and the Beverly High School students.”

The 2012 Project of the Year Award honors projects that were completed before March 2012, and were constructed with a value more than $20 million. The Beverly High School project was completed in November of 2011.

Boston – – The Boston chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), a non-profit association dedicated to serving the facility management profession, today announced the winners of the 2012 Awards of Excellence. Elizabeth Freedman, Author and Principal at Bates Communications, was the evening’s Keynote speaker.

You Make it Happen Award: Claude Lancome, Esq., Coast and Harbor Associates, Inc.

The “You Make it Happen” award is given in recognition of service to the IFMA Chapter that goes above
and beyond expectations, and makes a substantial impact on the membership and success of the
organization.

President’s Award: Kate Thibeault, CFM, Pearson

The President’s Award is given to a chapter member for his or her leadership and example to our industry
as a whole.

Exemplary Service Provider Award: Francine Buck, Haworth and Guy Campagnone, LEED AP, Chapman

This award is presented to the representative of an associate member company in recognition of
voluntary contributions to IFMA Boston. These contributions may include sponsoring programs or
educational offerings, presenting innovative sessions on FM-related topics, sponsoring educational
research or scholarships, providing technical assistance to members, or serving as chapter or council
officers or committee members. Nominees must be associate members who recognize that IFMA is a
forum for the interchange of ideas with members.

Exemplary End User: Anthony Leonard, Liberty Mutual Insurance

The Distinguished End User Award is presented to a professional member of the Boston Chapter who
has provided sustained, outstanding leadership to the chapter. This person is highly valued by his or her
company, IFMA, and the facility management profession. This individual keeps current on changes in the
facility management profession and educates other IFMA members and peers. Recipients demonstrate
the best in leadership and ethics.

Emerging Leader Award: Carolyn Manoukian, FMP, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

This award is presented to a Boston Chapter IFMA member who has been an active member within the
chapter and shows initiative in both their work and professional settings. They go above and beyond in
their efforts with skilled execution and follow through and motivate others to participate.

Education & Professional Development Award: Tom Dunn, III, CFM, RPA, Eastern Bank

The Education and Professional Development Award is presented to a Boston Chapter IFMA member
demonstrating exceptional support of professional development in their organization and/or facility
management community. The member receiving this award consistently presents or plans outstanding programs designed to meet the needs of facility management professionals, provides career support,
designs professional development seminars or classes and champions CFM certification.

Facilities Management Achievement Awards for Best Practices

These awards are presented to the individual or team whose facility management program, project,
system, innovation, or idea has had a substantial, positive effect on the success of their organization.
The recipient demonstrated how their project impacted business objectives and contributed to improved
success. The award winners demonstrated innovation, and their achievements will be used to educate
other facility management professionals. This award is intended to honor those who achieve “above and
beyond” the normal scope of job responsibilities.

• Sustainability Existing LEED Principles: Liberty Mutual Insurance (nominated by NELSON)

• Small Project (150,000 s.f.): Boston Properties (nominated by cbt architects)

Hartford, Conn. – The restoration and renovation of the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art completed by Consigli Construction Co., Inc. (Consigli) received a Preservation Award from the Hartford Preservation Alliance on May 17, 2012. The 1920s-themed 11th Annual Awards event was held at the historic Elks Lodge in Hartford during National Historic Preservation Month.

Hartford Preservation Alliance Executive Director, Laura Knott-Twine said, “The Wadsworth is another golden icon of Hartford. Now, newly refurbished, it will stand for another 100 to 200 years inviting everyone in to see the great and vast treasures it holds. But just as important, it will grace Hartford’s Main Street as an architectural delight. The building has become a worthy museum artifact in and of itself.”

The oldest public art museum in the United States, Wadsworth Atheneum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Consigli’s work involved reconstruction of the exterior’s Tennessee marble parapet walls, extensive interior upgrades, HVAC upgrades and roof repairs, as well as the re-introduction of the original skylights in the Morgan galleries. The comprehensive renovation took place across all five of the museum’s buildings and recaptured 10,000 square feet of refurbished gallery space. The project team included Consigli’s Hartford office, SmithEdwards Architects and Alan Barton, Director of Facilities, who managed the project for the Wadsworth Atheneum Musuem of Art.

The mission of Hartford Preservation Alliance is to preserve and revitalize Hartford’s unique architectural heritage and neighborhood character. It views historic buildings as community assets that can play an important role in creating value and stabilizing neighborhoods in the city.

BOSTON– Payette recently announced that the School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) building on the campus of George Washington University (GWU) broke ground on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. At 115,542 GFA, the $75 million project is the first standalone home for the SPHHS and is the only school of public health in Washington, D.C.

Just blocks from the White House, the school draws heavily upon its unique D.C. location in the heart of the country’s “policy capital” to attract local legislators, practitioners and researchers to bring real-world perspective to public health education. While the university’s medical center was founded in 1824, the school itself was only established in 1997 and has never had a true “home.” Instead, its seven departments currently occupy space in various university buildings and several leased locations in and around the university’s Foggy Bottom campus. This project, a signature new building for the school, is intended to help create a singular identity to the general public.

“The School of Public Health will be a spectacular addition to the Washington Circle area, and is the fastest growing research arm of the university” said GWU University President Steven Knapp. “I think it is inherently a disciplinary school because it touches on so many areas that the university has strengths in, in law, in policy, in medical sciences, health sciences, in mathematics and statistics, and everything comes together in a field of public health.”

The seven-story building is organized into two distinct halves, with two additional stories located below grade. An efficient, 50-foot wide rectilinear bar at the rear of the site along 24th Street will house departmental administrative offices. Clad in architectural terracotta, it complements the scale and residential character of the Foggy Bottom neighborhood. Facing Washington Circle, the building’s classrooms and lecture halls will occupy a dramatic, glass enclosed eastern wing. In a significant departure from conventional practice, teaching spaces are set back from the building’s perimeter. An informal series of individual and group student activity and study spaces overlook the Circle – one of the capital’s most prominent traffic nodes – reinforcing the school’s unique presence as an institution of public health within the public realm of the city.

The project incorporates numerous sustainable features, including a green roof, native plantings, low-flow plumbing fixtures, lighting controls, C02 monitoring and numerous local, rapidly renewable and recycled content materials. The building’s HVAC systems consist of both active chilled beam and mass air displacement technologies, enabling the project to realize at least a 36% improvement over the ASHRAE 90.1 2007 baseline. The project will seek LEED Gold Certification at a minimum.

In attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony on May 16 were Mayor Vincent Gray, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration Margaret Hamburg, University President Steven Knapp, and Dean Lynn Goldman, among others. The project team includes:

· Payette – design architect, landscape architect, and architect of record

· Ayers Saint Gross – associate architect

· Whiting- Turner – general contractor

· Affiliated Engineers, Inc. – mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection engineer

· Tadjer Cohen Edelson Associates – structural engineer

· Wiles Mensch Corporation – civil and site engineer

· Shen Milsom Wilke – acoustical and audiovisual consultant

· S.D. Keppler & Associates, LLC. – LEED consultant

· RW Sullivan Engineering – fire protection consultant

· Zipf Associates, Inc. – elevator consultant

· Rolf Jensen Associates – code consultant

· Ateller Ten – lighting designer

The project is expected to be complete by 2014.

Barnstable, Ma – As a recent recipient of $4.5M through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 – Capital Development – Building Capacity (CD-BC) Grant Program, Harbor Health Services Inc. (HHSI) the Owner and the Project OPM Seth A. Ravitz Assoc. Inc (SAR+) currently seek proposals for Architectural / Engineering Services to design and administer, the Alteration / Renovation project of an existing structure into a new 20,000 SF Community Health Center in Barnstable, Massachusetts. To request a copy of the formal Request for Proposal, interested parties should submit their qualifications on AIA Document B305-1993 “Architect’s Qualification Statement” indicating sufficient Health Care experience, recent Health Care projects completed in Massachusetts and references, to:

Gary S. Walker, Assoc. A.I.A., F.R.S.A.
Project OPM

Email: gwalker@sarplus.com

A site walkthrough of the proposed project space will be required and complete Proposal Responses shall be due by June 15, 2012.