Reconstruction & Renovation

Renovated Boston warehouse reborn as a living lab for sustainable energy research

A 100-year-old former tannery warehouse in Boston is undergoing a major renovation to remake the structure as a living laboratory for sustainable energy and energy efficiency research. The $22 million project will allow researchers at the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems(CSE) to investigate innovative green building strategies, including phase-change materials within the building’s walls, analysis of how energy is transferred to where it is needed most, and how the building generates power.
June 5, 2012

A 100-year-old former tannery warehouse in Boston is undergoing a major renovation to remake the structure as a living laboratory for sustainable energy and energy efficiency research. The $22 million project will allow researchers at the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems(CSE) to investigate innovative green building strategies, including phase-change materials within the building’s walls, analysis of how energy is transferred to where it is needed most, and how the building generates power. Corporate partners are kicking in $2.7 million in advanced building energy technologies and services, and will participate in research projects.
(http://earthtechling.com/2012/05/bostons-living-lab-rising-on-the-waterfront/)

About the Author

Drew Ballensky

Drew Ballensky is general manager of Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.’s central U.S. facility in Iowa and company spokesman for Duro-Last’s cool roofing, sustainability and architectural education programs. He is past-president of the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association and chairman of CFFA’s Vinyl Roofing Division. Drew earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from the University of Northern Iowa and master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University. Drew has over 29 years experience in business and industry in various engineering and managerial capacities. He has worked in the U.S. and Canadian operations for a major international manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings, was a financial analyst with a major athletic apparel manufacturer and was an owner of a general contracting company.
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