When the opportunity occurred to introduce a progressive new look for a mixed-use development, John Fasano knew that he had the perfect product solution to create an innovative work/live/play community. The Cambridge mixed-use project is located at 1075 Mass Avenue, in a highly visible area located in the heart of the Harvard community. The mixed-use facility includes Crate and Barrel, with residential living space in the back of the building.
Fasano, architect with Peter Quinn Architects, had been waiting for the right project to use Nichiha’s Illumination Series Panels to create the look and feel of an upscale community with the customized color options of Nichiha’s Color Xpressions system. “This area of Cambridge is progressive and open to new ideas and solutions,” mentioned Fasano. “A mixed-use development like this Illumination project is a perfect solution to meet the wants and needs of both residents and the retail community. The Nichiha cladding system is an ideal solution that blends beauty and easy installation together to provide an upscale look to anchor this development.”
Fasano had learned about the Nichiha products from a previous project at Patriot Place in Foxboro, Massachusetts, where they utilized Nichiha fiber cement panels. In fact, Peter Quinn Architects is working on several projects in the Cambridge area, utilizing various Nichiha fiber cement products. “We needed to find a light-weight, durable, fire-resistant cladding material. We considered Nichiha along with other fiber cement products because they’re fire resistant materials, but Nichiha seemed the most suitable for our needs due to their patented rainscreen system. Additionally, we liked the modular scale of the panels, as well as the concealed fastener system and ease of installation,” stated Fasano.
The Cambridge mixed-used project incorporates Nichiha’s Illumination Series Panels, in three custom colors. Nichiha’s Color Xpressions System allowed for the architect to choose a variety of personalized colors to match the specific design of the building. Nichiha’s Illumination Series Panels provided an attractive finish, quick installation, cost-savings and a vast array of distinctive color options; all of these value benefits stand Nichiha apart from other cladding options in the industry. “Nichiha panels allowed us to create an interesting, random color pattern at a human scale with clean lines and a finished overall appearance,” commented Fasano.
More specifically, the Illumination Series panels were chosen in part to their ability to be installed at all times of the year, regardless of the weather or temperature. The panels for this project were installed in the dead of winter, which is a huge benefit when comparing other types of cladding materials, as many have to be preferably installed in warm weather (i.e. brick and stone).
The Cambridge mixed-use project used Nichiha Illumination Series panels to complete the all inclusive work/live/play community, which includes both residential and retail space.
CHALLENGE
The architects needed to find a light-weight, durable, fire-resistant cladding material that had a moisture management system that worked with their budget.
SOLUTION
Nichiha’s Illumination Panels provided custom color availability, easy-installation, fire-resistant material that has a built-in rainscreen system. Due to the versatility of the product, it was able to be installed in the dead of winter, where many other products cannot be, keeping the project on time.
RESULTS
The mixed-use project in Cambridge was completed with the use of Nichiha’s Illumination Panels, which provided functionality and modern aesthetics, a true stand-out, creating an all inclusive work/live/play community.
Architect: Peter Quinn Architects
Location: Cambridge, Mass.
Project type: new construction
Product: Illumination Series
Project features:
? Modern aesthetics
? Simple installation
? Drained and back ventilated rainscreen system
? Color Xpressions System
? Durability
Nichiha U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Nichiha Corporation, was established 1998 and is headquartered in Norcross, Ga. Nichiha Corporation, an international leader in fiber cement technology for more than 35 years, has 13 plants worldwide and markets distinct patterns of fiber cement siding products in the U.S. In 2007, Nichiha opened its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Macon, Ga., responding to an increase in demand for fiber cement products in the Southeast market. For more information, call 1.86.NICHIHA1 or visit nichiha.com.
Related Stories
Museums | May 31, 2022
University of Texas at Dallas breaks ground on new 12-acre cultural district
The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) recently broke ground on the Crow Museum of Asian Art, the first phase of a new 12-acre cultural district on campus.
BAS and Security | May 26, 2022
Can your intelligent building outsmart hackers?
ESD's security services studio leader Coleman Wolf offers tips, advice, and lessons for protecting real estate assets from cyberattacks.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | May 26, 2022
WNBA practice facility will offer training opportunities for female athletes and youth
The Seattle Storm’s Center for Basketball Performance will feature amenities for community youth, including basketball courts, a nutrition center, and strength and conditioning training spaces.
Multifamily Housing | May 25, 2022
9 noteworthy multifamily developments to debut in 2022
A 1980s-era shopping mall turned mixed-use housing and a mid-rise multifamily tower with unusual rowhomes highlight the innovative multifamily developments to debut recently.
Coronavirus | May 20, 2022
Center for Green Schools says U.S. schools need more support to fight COVID-19
The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council released a new report detailing how school districts around the country have managed air quality within their buildings during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regulations | May 20, 2022
Biden’s Clean Air in Buildings Challenge aims to reduce COVID-19 spread
The Biden Administration recently launched the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge that calls on all building owners and operators, schools, colleges and universities, and organizations to adopt strategies to improve indoor air quality in their buildings and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Building Team | May 20, 2022
Caltech breaks ground on a new center to study climate and sustainability
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) recently broke ground on its Resnick Sustainability Resource Center.
Laboratories | May 20, 2022
Brutalist former Berkeley Art Museum transformed into modern life science lab
After extensive renovation and an addition, the former Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive at the University of California, Berkeley campus reopened in May 2022 as a modern life science lab building.
Energy-Efficient Design | May 19, 2022
Shipping containers used to build Research Triangle Park’s first community gathering space
Shipping containers were the prominent building material used to construct Boxyard RTP, the first public community and gathering place in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park (RTP).
Mixed-Use | May 19, 2022
Seattle-area project will turn mall into residential neighborhood
A recently unveiled plan will transform a 463,000 sf mall into a mixed-use destination site in the Seattle suburb of Bellevue, Wash.
