Consigli Construction Co., Inc. recently completed the construction of the new Clark University Blackstone Residence Hall in Worcester, Mass., a 72,000-square-foot facility that is under consideration for LEED silver certification.
LEED, an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a system developed by The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), a coalition of more than 7,500 member organizations with a network of 75 regional chapters that rates buildings for their "green" or "sustainable" design, construction and operation.
Green or sustainable practices increase the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use and harvest energy, water and materials, and reduce building impacts on human health and the environment through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, demolition and removal — the complete building life cycle.
Clark University's new dormitory was completed within a tight 16-month schedule on an occupied campus, with Consigli and architect Chan Krieger Sieniewicz of Cambridge, Mass., working closely together to complete the project.
The 208-bed building includes many sustainable features, such as zinc shades that deflect the sun's heat from the numerous windows offering enhanced natural daylighting, and certified wood that ensures the building is in compliance with standards set forth by the Forest Stewardship Council. Other green features are dual-flush toilets to reduce water consumption, and a ventilation system that uses 100-percent outside air supply. This offers higher indoor air quality for the building's residents.
Another green plus: Consigli employs a rigorous on-site waste reduction program, which resulted in a construction and demolition debris recycling rate of 94 percent.
According to Consigli, also beneficial to the client was the contractor's significant self-performance on the project, helping Clark University to realize cost savings and maintain better control of the construction process. In line with this, Consigli's in-house staff self-performed all foundation work, rough carpentry, doors, frames and hardware installation, and finish carpentry. Furthermore, says the contractor, its jobsite safety practices enabled it to record zero lost work days.
Consigli, established in 1905, is a construction manager and general contractor serving academic, corporate, healthcare, and institutional clients throughout New England and New York state. The company has offices in Milford, Mass., and Portland, Maine.
