flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Nauset Construction completing sustainable dorm for Brooks School

Nauset Construction completing sustainable dorm for Brooks School

Student input on green elements provides learning experience.


By Posted by Tim Gregorski, Senior Editor | June 8, 2012

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.

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% 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.

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. +

Related Stories

Coronavirus | May 18, 2020

Infection control in office buildings: Preparing for re-occupancy amid the coronavirus

Making workplaces safer will require behavioral resolve nudged by design.

Data Centers | May 8, 2020

Data centers as a service: The next big opportunity for design teams

As data centers compete to process more data with lower latency, the AEC industry is ideally positioned to develop design standards that ensure long-term flexibility. 

Coronavirus | Apr 30, 2020

Gilbane shares supply-chain status of products affected by coronavirus

Imported products seem more susceptible to delays

Architects | Apr 23, 2020

Take a virtual tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House

Explore the building with Frank Lloyd Wright Trust curator David Bagnall.  

Coronavirus | Apr 21, 2020

COVID-19 update: CallisonRTKL, Patriot, PODS, and USACE collaborate on repurposed containers for ACFs

CallisonRTKL and PODS collaborate on repurposed containers for ACFs

Multifamily Housing | Apr 15, 2020

Related Group picks Stantec to design and engineer Manor Miramar residences in Florida

Related Group picks Stantec to design and engineer Manor Miramar residences in Florida.

Coronavirus | Apr 4, 2020

COVID-19: Architecture firms churn out protective face shields using their 3D printers

Architecture firms from coast to coast have suddenly turned into manufacturing centers for the production of protective face shields and face masks for use by healthcare workers fighting the COVID-10 pandemic.

Coronavirus | Mar 30, 2020

Learning from covid-19: Campuses are poised to help students be happier

Overcoming isolation isn’t just about the technological face to face, it is about finding meaningful connection and “togetherness”.

Coronavirus | Mar 15, 2020

Designing office building lobbies to respond to the coronavirus

Touch-free design solutions and air purifiers can enhance workplace wellness.

Architects | Mar 11, 2020

S/L/A/M/ Collaborative grows significantly in deal with CBRE

The architectural firm acquires five of Heery’s practices and adds 70 people.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category



Urban Planning

The magic of L.A.’s Melrose Mile

Great streets are generally not initially curated or willed into being. Rather, they emerge organically from unintentional synergies of commercial, business, cultural and economic drivers. L.A.’s Melrose Avenue is a prime example. 


Curtain Wall

7 steps to investigating curtain wall leaks

It is common for significant curtain wall leakage to involve multiple variables. Therefore, a comprehensive multi-faceted investigation is required to determine the origin of leakage, according to building enclosure consultants Richard Aeck and John A. Rudisill with Rimkus. 

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