Boston, MA – June 25, 2008 – Shawmut Design and Construction (www.shawmut.com), a leading national construction management firm, in collaboration with architect Baker Design Group, Inc., has completed a new sustainably designed, modern office space for its growing staff of construction professionals.
This project paves new ground with both environmentally conscious construction as well as progressive office layout concepts. Leadership and team members share work spaces in the open plan office flooded by natural light. Ten meeting rooms and two conference rooms each feature their own accent colors, while industrial brick walls have been painted contemporary white and gray tones. One hundred employees from Shawmut’s New England Group moved into the 14,000 square foot space this June on the fifth floor of its 560 Harrison Avenue location. The New England Group specializes in institutional and commercial construction projects.
The open floor plan saves energy, money and space, and also creates a daring, collaborative work environment for the employees. Shawmut Vice President Frank Hayes notes that the renovation actually eliminates private offices, instead grouping project teams together in “pods.” The architect’s own offices share this format, and do so to great employee acclaim.
“Architects have been using open work spaces and embracing sustainability in their own offices for some time, and now the construction industry has caught up,” said Hayes. “This move marks a new era for Shawmut culture and growth as we demonstrate our commitment to environmental responsibility, while also embracing new ideas of what a work environment can be.” Risk taking and pioneering are not strangers to Shawmut, which embraces innovation and fosters entrepreneurial drive, factors which help it in continuously being named a “Best Place to Work” by many organizations, including making the Boston Business Journal list five years in a row.
Shawmut’s sustainable building team is seeking LEED® certification for the renovation, and designers worked to load the new area with exciting earth-conscious features, even from the very beginning. More than 77% of the initial demolition became recycled content, or the equivalent of 31 tons of waste saved from landfills. Wood and metal scraps were recycled, and employees salvaged and reused 89 light fixtures, now operating in homes, schools and other facilities. Approximately 82% of all construction and demolition waste was diverted from landfills, an amount equivalent to over 48 tons. For employee health and productivity, Shawmut enclosed three copy centers, cutting down on noise and fumes. New water fixtures will reduce water use by 8% compared to conventional fixtures. The open floor plan with natural lighting, as well as motion sensors to shut off lights when not in use, amounts to a significant decrease in artificial light.
Shawmut is a leader in sustainable building practices. A selection of Shawmut’s current and recently completed green and sustainable building projects includes the Boston Children’s Museum, the Yale Sculpture Building, Bergmeyer Associates offices, Administaff offices, and the Wheelock College Campus Center and Student Residence.
About Shawmut Design and Construction
Shawmut Design and Construction is a 100% employee-owned company headquartered in Boston with offices in New York, Providence, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and New Haven. Shawmut is a leading ENR top 100-ranked national construction management firm providing client-oriented services in the following markets: Academic, Commercial, Corporate Interiors, Cultural and Historic Preservation, Healthcare and Science, Gaming, Restaurants, Retail, Spas and Health Clubs. For more information, visit Shawmut’s website at www.shawmut.com.
