A Green Home
The Story of the Macallen Building
Architecture is a significant part of Boston’s identity, with historical elements pervading the city’s unique architectural style. From the stately homes that line Beacon Hill and the rows of opulent shops along Newbury Street to the busy intersection at Copley Square, you can’t help but feel energized by the people, the buildings and the city’s vibrant culture.
When Pappas Properties approached Burt Hill to be part of their design team for the redevelopment of the Macallen Building as a residential high-rise, we were excited at the prospect of building a sustainable, luxurious residential development in the heart of South Boston. The environmentally friendly building represents design that is both beautiful and responsible.
Burt Hill remains committed to sustainable urban development. The praise our team has received for the Macallen Building is a testament to the creativity and passion of our integrated engineering and architecture teams. We are humbled to be recognized for our passion to sustainable design.
The Process
In order to create a highly sustainable building, we worked with the owner, Pappas Properties, in conjunction with Office dA Architects, Burt Hill MEP engineers, and Bovis (the contractor). The team met weekly to evaluate the best design strategies. Additionally, consultants were brought in as necessary throughout the process. As a team, we presented our building design to the Boston Redevelopment Authority and worked closely with the agency and the neighboring community to ensure that this project be successful and meet everyone’s individual requirements. Establishing a good relationship with the community was important to everyone involved. We wanted to create a building that the neighbors would be proud of.
After countless meetings and careful research, we realized it was entirely possible to build the first green high-rise residential building in New England. We recognized we could play a major role in distinguishing Boston as not just a great city, but also as an environmentally-conscious place to live.
The sustainable design of the Macallen Building features innovative technologies that will save over 600,000 gallons of water annually while consuming 30% less electricity than a conventional building. Throughout the building’s construction, recycled and rapidly renewing materials were utilized to further ensure a truly sustainable project. Additionally, 75% of construction debris was recycled and diverted from landfills. These measures were taken to make sure that the building was not only designed to be sustainable for residents but that sustainability was practiced throughout the process.
The Macallen Building is located in a primarily industrial area which provided some challenges to our team. Air pollution, noise pollution, the heat island effect and a shortage of local green space were major concerns for the site. To address these problems, we designed a sloped green roof that controls storm water drainage, filters pollutants out of the air, reduces needs for heating and cooling, reduces heat island effect and provides an ecosystem for wildlife. There is a major focus on natural light and operable windows. Heavy insulated windows and exterior walls also help to reduce energy use.
Green Results
With every decision, we envisioned a private sanctuary for residents. The developers and design team felt it was important that residents of the building live in a luxurious yet sustainable home with well-appointed amenities. The commitment to green living extends beyond the design, and the building even features a shared hybrid vehicle, electrical car chargers and ample storage space for bicycles. The Macallen Building truly represents an exclusive space that works with each resident’s unique lifestyle.
The building is located at the Southern end of Fort Point Channel and is home to a pedestrian walkway called the South Bay Harbor Trail. This trail provides convenient pedestrian access to many Boston neighborhoods. Many of the building’s residents use this trail and are able to walk to work, further shrinking their carbon footprints.
As Boston’s first LEED Gold certified residential building, the Macallen Building is an architectural pioneer. The Macallen Building’s design to LEED process was filmed and featured at the Boston Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival. Additionally, the building has garnered international attention and has been the recipient of numerous prestigious architectural awards. Some of the awards include:
• 2008 AIA Housing Award for Multifamily Housing
• COTE Top Ten Green Project of 2008 presented by the AIA
• 2008 Best Housing Award presented by Residential Architectural Magazine
• 2008 Preservation Achievement Award presented by the Boston Preservation Alliance
Developing the Macallen Building has been a rewarding experience for all of us. We have built a sustainable building that is making a difference in the community and city we love. We have watched an idea be brought to life that is helping to encourage sustainable design throughout the city. Watching a project come to life is always a spectacular experience, but being a part of the design of Boston’s first green high-rise residential building is truly exhilarating.
Burt Hill was the Architect of Record on the Macallen Building. Office dA was the design architect.
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