In continuing its pursuit of sustainable excellence, SGA designed 90 Arboretum as the first all new mass timber frame office building in New England.
This environmentally-friendly method emits ~30% fewer carbon dioxide emissions than traditional steel or concrete construction. In addition, once the CO2 sequestered in its fiber is counted, wood becomes carbon negative.
For the past several generations, mass timber has not been seen in commercial developments. However, recent advances now make it possible to design a large-scale wood building by using sophisticated timber structures. SGA's clients source their project materials from sustainable stewardship forests where wood is harvested specifically for construction and is then fabricated into Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), glue-laminated beams and Nail Laminated Timber (NLT) panels.
The SGA team coordinated with CLT design build contractors to pre-engineer all the CLT and glue laminated structures to accommodate all the penetrations for sprinkler lines, ducts, wiring, and lighting. CLT—used on floors received a layer of polished concrete on top of flooring for acoustics, which eliminates sound between each level and provides a modern industrial aesthetic. The 72,000-square-foot, three-story building utilizes Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRF) equipment, which moves heat or cooling within the building to where it is needed, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
Floor-to-ceiling windows provide abundant natural light, while exposed wood creates a stunning appearance. In a location close to running trails, Pease International airport, and Pease Golf Course, 90 Arboretum will provide its tenants with easy access to local amenities, while working in a highly sustainable building.