The Pinnacle at Central Wharf, a high performance and resilient mixed-use tower on the Boston harbor waterfront will reconnect Downtown Boston to the waterfront with new public space.
The KPF-designed project will replace a seven-story parking garage that currently occupies the entirety of the site. The building will give half of the previously inaccessible area over to public open space and also incorporate innovative design strategies pertaining to climate resiliency, energy, emissions, water, and materials to minimize its environmental impact and improve the health and wellbeing of the community it serves.
The tower’s curvilinear form will reduce shadow impacts and ease pedestrian flow around the building’s base, creating smooth circulation paths and opening view corridors to the water. As the tower rises, setbacks provide outdoor terraces for occupants and visitors, with views to Boston Harbor and downtown. The glass curtain wall is treated with a non-reflective coating to minimize the glare to the neighborhood.
See Also: HGA-designed hotel becomes one of the tallest buildings in Rochester, Minn.
The Pinnacle’s orientation on the site will enable a new pedestrian corridor, designed to integrate with the New England Aquarium’s proposed “Blueway” vision, to connect the waterfront to 28,000 square feet of on-site active public space, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and Downtown Boston.
The project will also be the first Downtown Waterfront project to implement Boston’s new climate conscious development mandates. The project site and the Harborwalk adjacent to the site will be elevated four feet above its present grade and connect with neighboring sites as they make similar adjustments in the future. These changes will help reduce inland flood risk, protect billions of dollars in property and infrastructure, and enhance walks along the harbor.
The Pinnacle is anticipating LEED Gold certification thanks to its high-performance envelope, high-efficiency mechanical and ventilation systems, and low-flow and low-consumption plumbing fixtures.
Related Stories
| Oct 29, 2014
Better guidance for appraising green buildings is steadily emerging
The Appraisal Foundation is striving to improve appraisers’ understanding of green valuation.
| Oct 27, 2014
Report estimates 1.2 million people experience LEED-certified retail centers daily
The "LEED In Motion: Retail" report includes USGBC’s conceptualization of the future of retail, emphasizing the economic and social benefit of green building for retailers of all sizes and types.
| Oct 27, 2014
Top 10 green building products for 2015
Among the breakthrough products to make BuildingGreen's annual Top-10 Green Building Products list are halogen-free polyiso insulation and a high-flow-rate biofiltration system.
| Oct 21, 2014
Inside LEED v4: The view from the MEP engineering seats
Much of the spirited discussion around LEED v4 has been centered on the Materials & Resources Credit. At least one voice in the wilderness is shouting for greater attention to another huge change in LEED: the shift to ASHRAE 90.1-2010 as the new reference standard for Energy & Atmosphere prerequisites and credits.
| Oct 16, 2014
Perkins+Will white paper examines alternatives to flame retardant building materials
The white paper includes a list of 193 flame retardants, including 29 discovered in building and household products, 50 found in the indoor environment, and 33 in human blood, milk, and tissues.
| Oct 15, 2014
Harvard launches ‘design-centric’ center for green buildings and cities
The impetus behind Harvard's Center for Green Buildings and Cities is what the design school’s dean, Mohsen Mostafavi, describes as a “rapidly urbanizing global economy,” in which cities are building new structures “on a massive scale.”
| Oct 14, 2014
USGBC awards individuals, firms for leading the way in sustainable construction
This year’s Leadership Award recipients include Christine Ervin, David Orr, Jim DeCesare, Lloyd Alter, Tom Paladino, The Near Westside Initiative, and Mars, Inc.
| Sep 29, 2014
Organically grown bricks, urban flood control system among 2014 Holcim Award winners
The 13 Holcim Award winners for North America illustrate how sustainable construction continues to evolve.
| Sep 29, 2014
Report finds links between office design, health and productivity
A new report from the World Green Building Council finds “overwhelming evidence” to support office design as a significant influencer of the health, wellbeing and productivity of staff.
| Sep 16, 2014
Studies reveal growing demand for LEED-credentialed professionals across building sector
The study showed that demand for the LEED Accredited Professional and LEED Green Associate credentials grew 46 percent over a 12-month period.
