Sustainable design and construction has hit a high note on Harvard University’s Cambridge, Mass., campus with the recent LEED Platinum certification of the Blackstone Office renovation project, a building that not only achieves top marks for its environmentally-friendly design, but also for being the first Platinum-rated pre-1900 building on record, as well as the first LEED Platinum rating on a higher education renovation project.

In the1890s, eight separate buildings were built to serve as a coal-fired electricity plant bordering the Charles River. What was once the Cambridge Electric Company has now gone through substantial renovations to address a facility that has not received any capital improvements over the past half-century, and now serves as the 42,000-square-foot headquarters for the school’s University Operations Services group. Built by Consigli Construction Co., Inc. of Milford, Mass., and designed by Bruner/Cott Architects and Planners of Cambridge, Mass., the building contains a host of sustainable features.

Faced with the challenge of blending 1800s design with modern-day environmental features, the facility features green touches both outside and in. The project entailed connecting three of the historic masonry buildings to form one unified space, accomplished by using expansive skylight canopies to interlink the structures. The enhanced daylighting is extended throughout the interior of the building by way of translucent materials that allows thorough infusion of natural light, and the open floor plan provides outdoor view to 90 percent of the building’s occupants. Additionally, the project team was able to salvage timber framing and decking for re-use throughout the building’s interior.

With cooling provided by two geothermal wells, an airtight foil around windows and doors, an elevator that doesn’t require hydraulic fluid, an ENERGYSTAR-rated white reflective roofing system and intelligent lighting, the building achieves a high level of efficiency. Combining these features with dual-flush toilets, waterless urinals and low-flow sinks and showerheads, the Harvard Blackstone Office reduces water consumption by 43 percent.

On the outside of the building, extensive efforts were made to ensure the building’s site complimented the Blackstone office’s efficient design. A bioretention pond and adjoining bioswale reduces and treats water runoff, while an impervious asphalt parking lot has been converted to green space with permeable paving. Other touches include native plant material with no mow grass and drought-tolerant plants, which combined create a landscape that requires zero site irrigation.

“The Blackstone Office renovation is to be commended for achieving LEED Platinum Certification. This facility is one that both the community and its users can be proud of,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO, founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council. “Blackstone will be a showcase for high performance, energy efficient, healthy work environments, and an inspiration for others.”

With the successful completion of the Harvard Blackstone Office renovation, Consigli, Bruner/Cott Architects & Planners, along with Harvard University, have hit the mark by merging historic heritage with cutting-edge environmental design.