Four Seasons tower will be Boston's tallest

On Wednesday, Jan. 14, developer Carpenter & Company and executives from the Four Seasons broke ground on the Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences, which will become the tallest building in Boston.

At 699 feet, the tower will exceed the height of the Millennium Tower, which, when completed, will reach 685 feet. The Four Seasons will house 211 hotel rooms and 180 condo units.

The tower, designed by Harry Cobb of architecture firm Pei Cobb Freed, and Gary Johnson, of Cambridge Seven Associates, is the tallest building to break ground in Boston since the 790-ft.-tall John Hancock Tower, completed in 1976. Curbed's Tom Acitelli writes, that the project's 699-ft. is "phenomenal height by both contemporary and historical standards."

The project team members include owner Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York; design architect and interior designer of the restaurant, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, New York; executive architect, FXFOWLE, New York; and architect and interior designer of the film center, Rockwell Group, New York; structural engineer Arup (AISC Member), New York; and general contractor Turner Construction Company (AISC Member), New York.

| Nov 9, 2011

Sika Sarnafil Roof Recycling Program recognized by Society of Plastics Engineers

Program leads the industry in recovering and recycling roofing membrane into new roofing products.

| Nov 9, 2011

American Standard Brands joins the Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium

American Standard will collaborate with other organizations to build an industry-wide sustainability performance index.

| Nov 8, 2011

Transforming a landmark coastal resort

Originally built in 1973, the building had received several alterations over the years but the progressive deterioration caused by the harsh salt water environment had never been addressed.

| Nov 8, 2011

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Moisture-related failures in agglomerated floor tiles

Agglomerated tiles offer an appealing appearance similar to natural stone at a lower cost. To achieve successful installations, manufacturers should provide design data for moisture-related dimensional changes, specifiers should require in-situ moisture testing similar to those used for other flooring materials, and the industry should develop standards for fabrication and installation of agglomerated tiles.