Archives of Construction

Roundtable Discussion on Mass Timber Collaboration

It was a pleasure to do a roundtable discussion on BIM, mass timber, and collaboration with Eli Gould from the Quebec Wood Export Bureau and Jean-Marc Dubois from Nordic Structures. Check out the ArchDaily post below, which features an upcoming Revit plugin by QWEB for mass timber design and our roundtable video. We discuss our 11 E Lenox project and how a pro-active and open-minded approach from the OAC team was key in developing this mass timber project from its nascence. 

We wholeheartedly believe in utilizing the expertise of our team members, as well as from outside parties such as Eli and Jean-Marc – QWEB and Nordic have been great resources and wellsprings of knowledge and guidance.

Much thanks to our team for our past and current collaborations – BREC, Haycon, and H+O.

Link to ArchDaily post.

BIM Collaboration Snippets

 

4 months ago

Adaptive Reuse Mill Buildings

Adaptive Reuse Mill Buildings

For this adaptive reuse project, a site study of these early 20th century power plant buildings revealed extensive craftsmanship and thoughtful functionality. They once supported bustling textile mills that operated 24 hours a day and employed thousands of workers. We are now working to bring new life into these buildings while maintaining their character and history. 

7 months ago

CLT & Mass Timber Passive House Multifamily

A CLT & Mass Timber Passive House Multifamily Development.

We’re excited to announce that we are in development of a 7-story CLT and mass timber multifamily in Boston! In collaboration with Boston RealBosto Estate Collaborative, D2 Development, Haycon, H+O Structural Engineering, Code Red Consultants, and Passive to Positive – the project at 11 E Lenox will utilize a rapidly emerging sustainable structural system and integrate efficient energy and enclosure systems in pursuit of Passive House Certification. 

Some key facts and benefits of the design and various building systems: 

– A carbon sequestering structural system composed of 5-ply CLT panel floors & glulam columns and beams

– Generous 8′-8″ ceiling heights while staying below high-rise classification with 7 floors under 70ft 

– Prefabrication of floors, structure, and stairs project for a 2 month schedule savings

– No structural steel, no fireproofing, no podium 

– Energy efficient enclosure assemblies and HVAC systems 

 The project will be a future case study as a market-rate low-carbon Passive House multifamily development in urban areas. The project is currently undergoing zoning, state building code, and BPDA approvals – stay tuned for more updates!

Project page:
https://www.mfds-bos.com/project/11-e-lenox/

 

Exterior street elevation
Entry elevation
Interior vignette
Sustainable systems diagram
9 months ago

Custom Rainscreen Cladding System R&D

A custom rainscreen system designed by MFDS.

MFDS has been busy with R&D on unique façade cladding system designs. For One Newcomb Place, currently in construction, we designed a custom application of NeaCera Terra-cotta Rainscreens working closely with Avenere Cladding, the manufacturer. After touring their factory in Germany and meeting with their team, we took the base NeaCera Cascade configuration that used single height stacks and reformatted the vertical support profile to accept different height panels to create a unique variated product. The terra cotta is currently onsite and waiting to be installed, see the images below to see our process of research, design, and development of a custom system configuration.

A vignette of the cascade system on a corner One Newcomb. The overlapping panels are expressed in the mitered corner, with shadows raking across the panels to provide depth at a granular scale.

The project was originally conceived as a fiber cement clad design as a cost effective solution, but MFDS researched various terra cotta manufacturers and systems to find Avenere Cladding, who offered a promising product and system that was cost competitive and far more visually appealing and robust.

MFDS visited the manufacturer’s factory and clay mine in Germany.
Standard cascade configuration

When visiting the factory, we saw the potential of the cascade system configuration and its streamlined kit-of-parts. The team at Avenere were willing partners in exploring a custom support profile pattern – and given the variability of the system and the ease in which Avenere was able to implement it, the system may be offered as a product going forward as a configuration option.

A terra cotta panel rolling out of the autoclave.

Avenere’s excellent quality control meant very tight finish tolerances that provide crisp lines in the finished façade – which was critical in our new design that utilized varied panel heights that would have slightly different clearances and overlap from panel to panel.

Elevation comparison of a standard cascade system and our custom variated panel configuration.

Our custom design allows different height panels to stack and overlap to create a seamless pattern that repeats at every floor using standard panels height and without cutting any down to fit. The standard system using uniform heights would have had to have custom cuts or would not have registered with floor lines.

A custom kit-of-parts system for One Newcomb Place.

The base system offered is comprised of three pieces: the panel, the support profile, and the joint insert. We customized the support profile to accept varying panel heights, relying on the manufacturer’s tight finish tolerances to make the overlap tolerances work given the different panel heights have slight changes in overlap angles and clearances.

Standard vs custom cascade profiles

A simple change in modifying the support profile allows the system to still be cost effective while providing a substantial aesthetic impact with the varied panel heights. Designing the panel variation to repeat at every floor also allowed the support profiles to be manufactured in a single piece, furthering the ease of installation in an already minimal single wall support system.

A detail elevation.
Exterior rendering. The varied panel heights add to the scale and depth of the façade, while the registration at every floor line creates a measured composition of larger repeating visual elements.
The materials are on site, waiting for install in the coming weeks.

 

 

 

 

10 months ago

50 & 100 Boatswain’s Construction Complete

50 & 100 Boatswain’s Way Construction Complete!

The interior renovations at 50 & 100 Boatswain’s Way in Chelsea, MA are complete!  These lobbies are a shining example of how a few thoughtful design statements can completely transform a space, even when working within a tight budget. 

For this project we used ceiling details, flooring patterns, and new furniture layouts to create a sense of scale and definition.  Paired with fresh paint and updated light fixtures, these spaces are not only brighter and more inviting, but offer more functionality for the residents as well.    

50 Boatswain’s Way

 

100 Boatswain’s Way

11 months ago

A Mass Timber & CLT Development

New project sneak peek!

We’re designing a CLT mass timber building! Too early to announce anything yet, but stay tuned as we explore and develop a novel and sustainable building typology. 

 

1 year ago

Construction Begins on One Newcomb Place

Excavation has begun!

We’re looking forward to seeing the innovative terracotta shiplap cladding add a contemporary and complementary presence to the area. You can find more info about the project here.

 

2 years ago

Monomoy Residence Photoshoot Scouting

We did some scouting for an upcoming photoshoot!

The house is complete with some furniture on its way, while the landscape is nicely growing in. We’re excited with the results, as is our client – we can’t wait for our photographer to properly document and capture the project. Many thanks to Haycon, they built an exceptional home.

 

2 years ago

26 Centre Begins Construction

A new multifamily housing project  at 26 Centre St is underway!

Foundations are set to be poured, we’re looking forward to adding another project to Boston’s much needed housing stock.

 

2 years ago

Marketing Lookbook

2019 MFDS Recent Work!

We’ve been fortunate to have worked on and started some great projects recently, and this lookbook highlights the broad portfolio of work in development and nearing completion. 1065 Tremont Phase 2 will be completed in August and ready for September move-in, the Admiral’s Condominium renovations are on their final punchlist, and Area 207 Salons and Monomoy Residence are complete – ready for photoshoots this summer! One Newcomb Place will start construction soon, while 44 N Beacon will be submitted for permit early summer. We have a few more projects in the pipeline, stay tuned for more updates!

A few copies of our printed lookbooks – and a spread on One Newcomb Place, starting construction this summer.
A new project in the pipeline – stay tuned!
1065 Phase 2 exterior is complete!

 

 

 

2 years ago
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