flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

$1 billion Boston hospital project to include extensive disaster resiliency features

Codes and Standards

$1 billion Boston hospital project to include extensive disaster resiliency features

Mass. General expansion will be designed for four days of shelter in place.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | March 1, 2019

Courtesy Pixabay

Massachusetts General Hospital’s planned $1 billion expansion in Boston will include many features to cope with a natural disaster.

The goal is to create a structure where patients and staff could potentially shelter in place for four days. A hospital spokesperson cited lessons learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy in creating a new wing to be able to withstand a disaster and function afterwards.

The site is close to the Charles River in an area that was once a marsh. Flood-proofing the 13-story building, which will have 456 single occupancy rooms, is a top priority. The facility could be a place of a refuge for the whole hospital.

The hospital is already fortifying existing buildings built in 1940 and 1969, including moving critical operations out of basements and putting special protective coatings on windows and doors.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Apr 12, 2016

Construction trade groups sue OSHA over silica rule

Cite concerns about technological and economic feasibility.

Wood | Apr 8, 2016

New LEED Pilot ACP designed to help eliminate irresponsibly sourced materials

Illegal wood is primary target to restrict illicit material in the supply chain.  

Lighting | Apr 5, 2016

Lighting requirements for high-rise dwellings proposed for energy standard

The requirements would effectively eliminate incandescent and halogen bulbs.

Steel Buildings | Apr 4, 2016

AISI publishes Cold-Formed Steel Framing Design Guide, 2016 Edition

Updates 2007 edition; includes five comprehensive design examples.  

Data Centers | Apr 1, 2016

ASHRAE releases publication on the impact of IT equipment on data center design

The book offers advice for designing structures in the fast-changing data center industry.

Codes and Standards | Mar 28, 2016

Occupant egress simulations that impact codes fall short, researchers say

Building evacuations in emergencies are too dangerous as a result.  

School Construction | Mar 28, 2016

National report on school buildings reports $46 billion annual funding shortfall

Millions of students said to be learning in obsolete facilities.  

Codes and Standards | Mar 25, 2016

ASHRAE grants fund human thermal comfort database project

Aim is to help better understand thermal comfort in residential and commercial buildings.  

Codes and Standards | Mar 25, 2016

OSHA finalizes new silica dust regulations

Construction industry has until June 2017 to comply.  

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category


Reconstruction & Renovation

Movement to protect historic buildings raises sharp criticism

While the movement to preserve historic buildings has widespread support, it also has some sharp critics with well-funded opposition groups springing up in recent years. Some opponents are linked to the Stand Together Foundation, founded and bankrolled by the Koch family’s conservative philanthropic organization, according to a column in Governing magazine.



halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021