| Tsoi/Kobus? Rick Kobus filled us in on the thinking that went into the design of 50 Northern Ave, the building his firm designed for The Fallon Company in the 1.1M SF Vertex complex under construction on Fan Pier, the nation's largest private construction project (unless any industrious youngsters are making a run at digging to China). He says that his firm has been working on life science projects for years, so Tsoi/Kobus speaks the language. For the exterior of the building it originally designed in ?08, it was able to add an all-glass exterior since construction prices have fallen 15% to 20% in the recession. It's a more elegant, modern look compared to masonry. (And without a shadowy organization behind it: you've never heard of the Order of the Free Glassworkers, have you?) |
| To maximize scientific productivity, Rick?s team made the lower floors extra-large, 45k SF. The more space per floor, the more opportunities researchers have to casually bump into each other to exchange ideas. Meanwhile, the mechanicals are housed in a two-story area that is 25 to 26 feet compared to the more usual 16 to 18 feet. Rick tells us this gives Vertex flexibility to install different equipment down the road. A major concern was how much steel to put in the floors to minimize vibrations that could affect delicate research equipment. Rather than spend an extra $3M to build with more steel, circulation corridors will be placed in the most vibration-prone areas. |
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