Tocci Building Cos. creates sustainable living spaces in 150-year-old Westford, Massachusetts mill

Tocci Building Cos. transformed the nearly 150-year-old, 239,000 sf Abbot Mill in Westford, Mass. into a 131-unit residential tower. The project made use of recycled materials from the site, and now features a roof covered by 40,000 sf of solar panels capable of generating 331KW of electricity. It uses numerous techniques to limit heat and cooling loss including sealing and insulating each unit.
Aug. 21, 2012

Tocci Building Cos. transformed the nearly 150-year-old, 239,000 sf Abbot Mill in Westford, Mass. into a 131-unit residential tower. The project made use of recycled materials from the site, and now features a roof covered by 40,000 sf of solar panels capable of generating 331KW of electricity. It uses numerous techniques to limit heat and cooling loss including sealing and insulating each unit. "Virtual design and construction and BIM technology enabled us to meet the owner’s sustainability requirements, while giving him design flexibility for his tenants," said Laura Handler, Tocci’s director of virtual design and construction.

A number of features of the original Victorian building were restored or replicated. For example, boarded-up saw-tooth skylights, originally constructed to draw natural light into interior spaces for mill workers, were unveiled to allow light to flood common areas and apartment units

(http://www.multihousingnews.com/news/victorian-factory-becomes-green-apartments/1004060056.html)

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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