Challenge
A development team in Boston set out to create a digitally connected, state-of-the-art office building in the heart of Boston's Back Bay, incorporating innovative building systems, advanced technologies, and robust infrastructure that would bring significant value to the owner, high-end tenants, visitors, and operational staff.
The project involves a 28-story tower that includes four levels of underground electric vehicle (EV) parking only. The first three floors will feature stores, restaurants, fitness facilities, and gathering areas. Above, there will be 25 stories of premium office space, complete with private terraces for companies on multiple levels and an indoor/outdoor rooftop deck. The property will be one of Boston's first fully electrified buildings, utilizing a chilled-beam HVAC system (no onsite fossil fuels), a high-performance façade, outdoor air ventilation, and low embodied carbon materials. Additionally, improvements will be made to the surrounding public realm in this desirable Boston neighborhood, making it a landmark building characterized by its technologically advanced, wellness-integrated, and activated workplace design and a beautiful exterior design.
Approach
The development team collaborated with Leading Edge Design Group (LEDG) to develop a Smart Buildings Digital Strategy and support the Master Systems Integration process throughout the construction phases. The LEDG team conducted digital experience vision workshops to define the value that smart building technologies will deliver to occupants and visitors, as well as how technology will connect people and places and how occupants will interact with it. The workshops also included centralized operations and how they can benefit from the integrated systems and data to improve building performance. In addition to the strategy, the developer received the Owner's Integration Requirements to help the team decide on technology, building systems, and mobile applications, and understand the data that would be available.
Results
The developer was able to create a comprehensive technology and implementation plan to create this technologically advanced, landmark office space.