by Shane Henson — May 14, 2012—Gilbane Building Company, a provider of construction and facilities-related services, is using its expertise in sustainable building practices to ensure that Fraunhofer’s new headquarters, the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE), is at the leading edge of advanced energy technologies and efficiency.
Fraunhofer is a nonprofit research organization that operates labs in sustainable energy, biotechnology, computer security, manufacturing innovation, laser technology, and industrial coatings. The deep energy retrofit Gilbane is managing will transform the historic, 100-year-old building at 5 Channel Center in Boston into a building technology showcase for clean energy technologies and research, says the company.
The new center will house its advanced research labs and staff. In addition to pre-construction and construction management services for the renovation of the building’s core and shell, Gilbane will provide Fraunhofer with specialized knowledge and expertise related to the construction of energy efficient buildings.
“We’re proud to play a role in helping accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient building technologies in Boston and throughout the country,” said Ryan Hutchins, Gilbane senior vice president and regional manager. “The facility will not only serve as a model for clean energy technologies, but also provide real-time data and results to encourage organizations to adopt these cutting-edge practices in their own facilities.”
Fraunhofer is also using $2.7 million in energy-efficient building products donated by nearly 40 companies, ranging from building material manufacturing giants like Dow Corning Corp. to Massachusetts start-up companies. CSE researchers will evaluate the reliability and effectiveness of the technologies incorporated into the building, helping technology developers prove out their products with building-integrated and other applied research.
The facility is being designed by DiMella Shaffer with BR+A as engineers. Renovations will begin in July and are scheduled to be complete by the end of this year. The center will target Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
