MIT Site 4

This restoration and reuse of two century-old warehouses into a modern and sustainable residential and academic hub, builds off Atelier Ten’s sustainability framework for Kendall Square. Atelier Ten worked closely with the team to implement sustainability strategies that went beyond local standards to create a gateway to the campus.

The tower’s north/south orientation allows optimal light to fall on a primary street and gives residents outstanding views. Atelier Ten provided overshadowing studies and solar radiation studies to improve the massing development for each building at the site. A well-insulated mega-panel façade system forms a high-performance envelope that is responsive to solar exposure and daylighting. The envelope design maximizes access to daylight and views while providing insulated facades that manage occupant thermal comfort and energy use.

To reduce carbon emissions, the existing warehouse building was partially saved. The team retrofitted the existing building envelop by adding insulation to the masonry walls to increase energy and thermal comfort performance.

Atelier Ten provided continued coordination to finalize the LEED submission with the design and construction teams and an additional sustainability narrative for the City of Cambridge.