AUGUST 7, 2012--Merging the building industry’s latest technology with one of the most famous stories in American history, Suffolk Construction recently completed construction of the new $27 million Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum in time for its grand opening ceremony.
Suffolk leveraged its “build smart” approach and state-of-the-art technologies to meet numerous challenges on this 18,700-sf project. One of the most significant challenges was finding a way to house the extensive mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems in the unusually tight confines of the museum’s attic space. To address this challenge, Suffolk implemented virtual models and BIM early in the planning process to re-work the layout of the MEP systems to ensure they would fit in the allotted space. This innovative solution allowed the team to prefabricate much of the MEP components off site, allowing for a more efficient installation on this very tight building site.
The two-story Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, designed by Margulies Perruzzi Architects, sits on a floating barge with a Tavern/Tea Room on the top floor. The barge is surrounded by two historic replica ships, with a third ship expected to be added in 2014. The adjacent pier building contains a retail store, meeting rooms and offices. +
Related Stories
| Nov 3, 2014
IIT names winners of inaugural Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize
Herzog & de Meuron's iconic 1111 Lincoln Road parking garage in Miami Beach, Fla., is one of two winners of the $50,000 architectural prize.
| Nov 3, 2014
Cairo's ultra-green mixed-use development will be topped with flowing solar canopy
The solar canopy will shade green rooftop terraces and sky villas atop the nine-story structure.
| Nov 2, 2014
Top 10 LEED lessons learned from a green building veteran
M+W Group's David Gibney offers his top lessons learned from coordinating dozens of large LEED projects during the past 13 years.
| Oct 31, 2014
Dubai plans world’s next tallest towers
Emaar Properties has unveiled plans for a new project containing two towers that will top the charts in height, making them the world’s tallest towers once completed.
| Oct 30, 2014
CannonDesign releases guide for specifying flooring in healthcare settings
The new report, "Flooring Applications in Healthcare Settings," compares and contrasts different flooring types in the context of parameters such as health and safety impact, design and operational issues, environmental considerations, economics, and product options.
| Oct 30, 2014
Perkins Eastman and Lee, Burkhart, Liu to merge practices
The merger will significantly build upon the established practices—particularly healthcare—of both firms and diversify their combined expertise, particularly on the West Coast.
| Oct 29, 2014
Better guidance for appraising green buildings is steadily emerging
The Appraisal Foundation is striving to improve appraisers’ understanding of green valuation.
| Oct 29, 2014
Increasing number of design projects meeting carbon reduction targets, says AIA report
Of the 2,464 projects accounted for in AIA's 2030 Commitment 2013 Progress Report, 401 are meeting the 60% carbon reduction target—a 200% increase from 2012.
Sponsored | | Oct 29, 2014
What’s the difference between your building’s coating chalking and fading?
While the reasons for chalk and fade are different, both occurrences are something to watch for. SPONSORED CONTENT
Sponsored | | Oct 29, 2014
Historic Washington elementary school incorporates modular design
More and more architects and designers are leveraging modern modular building techniques for expansion projects planned on historical sites. SPONSORED CONTENT
