Sometimes, sustainability begins with what you already have. By improving sustainability in existing buildings, our clients are able to achieve their environmental goals with minimal construction impact. Gienapp Architects is committed to meeting the visions of our clients while emphasizing environmentally sustainable solutions as part of any project. We have been a key partner in enhancing historic town halls across Massachusetts, including in Danvers, Boxford, and Bedford. Gienapp has been able to help successfully preserve the historical integrity of these buildings while integrating green solutions, especially through mechanical systems like HVAC and electrical.
Danvers Town Hall
Our involvement with the Danvers Town Hall involved a multi-pronged project consisting of exterior repairs to maintain the Town Hall’s historic facade and to extend the building’s lifespan, as well as upgrading systems to be LEED-equivalent.
MEP Replacements: Interior improvements were driven by the installation of a new energy efficient HVAC system.This was done to increase the overall energy efficiency of the historic building, and required careful design to maintain the look of the historic interiors. To facilitate the installation of these new systems, our team upgraded the building’s lighting setup, ceilings, and flooring. We also installed a new electrical service and improved the fire protection system. Renovations to meet current accessibility code requirements included reconfiguring entry vestibules, restrooms, staircases, and enhancing signage.
Historic Preservation: As a Massachusetts Historic Landmark built over 150 years ago, it was important to implement necessary upgrades without notably impacting or altering any historically significant parts of the building. Our restoration efforts included refurbishing exterior elements such as windows on the main facade, quoins, columns,and doors. Where necessary, we replaced windows, siding, and roofing with maintenance-friendly materials that accurately mirrored the original profile. Our team was also involved in repairing and replacing ornamental details and repointing the granite foundation to maintain the building’s structural integrity.
Boxford Town Hall
While a much newer building, built in 2000, our work at Boxford Town Hall also focused simultaneously on two sustainability and energy efficiency projects.
Waterproofing: The building had ongoing water infiltration issues due to original design inconsistencies that compromised its waterproofing. This led to the deterioration of building conditions as well as problems for building staff and the site overall. We addressed critical areas of concern by removing the damaged brick, implementing waterproofing solutions, and replacing the brick to ensure durability. Additionally, we improved site drainage to resolve standing water issues, carefully minimizing disruption to the adjacent wetland habitat. These enhancements not only made the building more comfortable for occupants but also increased overall efficiency by improving the internal regulation of the building’s environment.
Sustainability: Additionally, the existing HVAC system created drastic temperature differences between the east and west sides of the building. Half of the building would have windows open in December, and the other half would be using electric space heaters under their desks, which was incredibly energy inefficient. Collaborating with our consulting engineers, we developed several solutions, ultimately selecting the most energy-efficient option favored by the Town. This approach has empowered the Town with better control over the building’s climate, ensuring comfort while reducing energy waste.
Sustainability at the core of our designs
Even when sustainability is not the client’s primary focus, our team emphasizes the importance of sustainable systems solutions that not only benefit the planet, but also the longevity of the building itself. We aim to emphasize to clients the advantages of sustainable design, highlighting that eco-friendly systems typically result in lower operating costs and enhanced efficiency over time. For example, while our work at Middlesex Community College focused primarily on design services and capital improvement projects, under our On-Call contract, we were also involved in HVAC upgrades that focused on increased energy efficiency. Similarly, at Boston North Technology park, our overarching goal was to provide master and site planning to convert the existing property into a modern and accessible business-use complex, but this included sustainable elements such as high-efficiency mechanical systems featuring green aspects like rainwater absorption and LED lighting.
Gienapp Architects’ commitment to sustainable design can be seen in our work at the Bedford and Danvers Town Halls, as well as at Bedford Town Hall and all other spaces with varying design priorities. For these town halls specifically, our aim was to honor the historical significance of each building while integrating modern, energy-efficient solutions. As we continue collaborating with communities across Massachusetts, we remain dedicated to enabling existing structures to become environmentally responsible spaces.