Shawmut Design & Construction: Building Green Corporate Spaces

Adam Busch, Co-Publisher and Owner, Green Space Today

Vern Rich, Managing Director, Shawmut Design & Construction Courtesy of Shawmut Design and Construction Shawmut Design and Construction’s sustainable office space is located at 560 Harrison Ave in Boston, MA.

Q&A between Adam Busch, Co-Publisher and Owner, Green Space Today, and Vern Rich, Managing Director, Shawmut Design & Construction

Adam Busch, Co-Publisher & Owner, Green Space Today: In 2007, Shawmut was ranked by the Boston Business Journal as the Best Place to Work (large company).  Do you feel that Shawmut’s new green office space in Boston helps to sustain employee well being?  If so, how do you know that Shawmut’s employees have been positively impacted by Shawmut’s new home thus far?

Vern Rich, Managing Director, Shawmut Design & Construction: At Shawmut, we pride ourselves in focusing on our employees and their needs.  Creating an environment that is LEED certified and addressing employee needs was therefore a top priority, so we made our new office space sustainable.  While it may be too soon to fully evaluate employee well-being, the early feedback we have received on the space is extremely positive.  From the open floor plan to the large windows that let in plenty of natural light, employees are happy in their new home and are proud of it. It was important for Shawmut to demonstrate our ability to “walk the walk” on an internal level. 

AB: How did Shawmut manage its time & resources in trying to construct LEED spaces for Boston Properties as well as aiming to establish a new, LEED certified corporate headquarters? What resources (internal & external) enabled Shawmut to accomplish this task?

Office of Shawmut Design and Construction, Boston, MA

VR: As green building continues to receive more and more attention in the construction industry, we recognize sustainability as a factor that is important to our clients.  Since we have worked on a number of sustainable projects over the past few years, we are able to bring to the table essential experience that makes the “greening” process easier for the project team.  Because we currently have 33 LEED Accredited Professionals on staff, and many more preparing to take the exam, we have plenty of on-site sustainability experts that work on our projects.

Each of the three projects had separate project management teams, but each team included LEED Accredited Professionals to ensure accurate information about sustainable products, advice on incorporating sustainable elements into construction, construction waste recycling, and that the Certification process was disseminated throughout the entire project team.  When necessary, we partnered with external companies to provide consultation and services (i.e. waste recycling).

Office of Shawmut Design and Construction, Boston, MA

AB: Why are developers/owners such as Boston Properties, Inc. committed to sustainability like top construction firms such as Shawmut?

VR: Simple - it’s a way to differentiate themselves from their competition, while at the same time allowing themselves to meet the needs of the market.  It is very attractive to clients that are looking to differentiate themselves from their competition in ways such as talent acquisition/retention and business marketing.

Office of Shawmut Design and Construction, Boston, MA

AB: Were similar materials used within the confines of Shawmut’s new corporate home and Boston Properties’ new corporate home?

VR: The similarities are limited.  The construction waste material recycling process and the use of low VOC adhesives and materials were common goals in both projects.

In the Shawmut office renovation, more than 77% of the initial demolition became recycled content, which is the equivalent of 31 tons of waste saved from landfills.  Wood and metal scraps were recycled, and employees salvaged and reused 89 light fixtures.  Approximately 82% of all construction and demolition waste was diverted from landfills, an amount equivalent to over 48 tons.

For employee health and productivity, Shawmut enclosed three copy centers, cutting down on noise and fumes.  New water fixtures will reduce water use by 8% compared to conventional fixtures.  The open floor plan with natural lighting, as well as motion sensors to shut off lights when not in use, amounts to a significant decrease in artificial light.

Office of Shawmut Design and Construction, Boston, MA

AB: During the Adminstaff project, located at 77 CityPoint, Waltham, MA, 89% of the construction waste was recycled.  What processes were taken to accomplish this and do you feel that in upcoming years, 100% of construction waste could be recycled?

VR: Shawmut used E.L. Harvey & Sons, from Westborough, Mass. to sort and recycle the construction waste.  E. L. Harvey provided immediate solutions to every phase of the waste handling and recycling needs of the projects; their goals include preserving the environment and providing great customer service, which matched up with our own.  Since they have their own waste sorting facility, we were able to cut out the middle man, which helped to reduce cost and transportation pollution.  A great example of the waste sorting was seen by some employees; they salvaged and reused 89 light fixtures, which are now operating in homes, schools and other facilities.

I feel strongly that in the future 100% of construction waste will be recycled.  I think we need to strive for this in order to lessen our impact on the world.

Seen here is the lobby in Boston Properties’ office. Boston Properties’ office is in the Prudential Tower in Boston, MA. The Prudential Tower is also owned by Boston Properties.

AB: What building materials were used to make this development sustainable?

VR: The 77 CityPoint building met high standards of energy and water efficiency (it hopes to achieve a 30% reduction in water use, compared to conventional buildings, by using special low-flush fixtures).  The seven-story building features windows that stretch from floor to ceiling, creating a 63% increase of natural light into the building, providing a better quality work environment for tenants and their employees.  A meticulous waste management plan was put in place to recycle 90% of construction waste.  The green elements in the structure gave Boston Properties’ tenants a big boost in helping them achieve their own sustainability goals within their space.  It was with this information in mind that we approached the Adminstaff fit-out on one of the floors within the 77 CityPoint building.

Boston Properties’ office (Boston, MA)

AB: Would you say that achieving LEED certification is often unattainable due to time constraints?

VR: Not anymore.  Most architects are savvy with adhering to the principles of sustainable design and are starting to use specific materials that assist with achieving certification.  Because there is such a demand for sustainable design and products, the resources are readily available for use without much lead time or construction delay.

As LEED certification becomes more of a standard, clients are actually coming to the table prepared to start the certification process at the beginning of the project as they try to stay ahead of the curve; this generally cuts down on the extra time that is needed to apply for certification.  The biggest constraint is the excessive paperwork that was involved with applying for certification.  Now, however, in addition to prepared clients, LEED-Online allows the project team how to submit details and information online, cutting down the time it takes to complete the application.

During the Administaff project at 77 CityPoint in Waltham , MA, a high percentage of construction waste was recycled.

AB: Why do you enjoy working for Shawmut?

VR: I have been at Shawmut for 11 years now and it truly is the best career move I ever made.  I have seen the company strategically grow from $60 million to a $900 million with 920 employees. We are 100% employee owned and you can see that in everything we do.  What I like best is that everyone takes pride in their work, and everyone wants to do a great job and be successful.  We inspire each other to do better and create opportunities for staff that just wouldn’t exist at other firms.       

AB: What are your most rewarding sustainable projects while working at Shawmut & why?

VR: I would consider the Adminstaff project (going for Silver LEED Certification) and Boston Properties new downtown offices (going for certification) to be my most rewarding sustainable projects to date.  I enjoyed working with Adminstaff especially because it was our first suburban LEED project.  The suburban market is a target market for us to expand into.  Having LEED experience in this expanding market further builds our resume for opportunities.

I enjoyed working with Boston Properties on their new downtown headquarters for several reasons.  First, Boston Properties is one of our most important corporate interiors clients, and they are great to work with.  Second, the aggressive schedule caused many procurement challenges that forced the entire team to band together in order to overcome those challenges.  Finally, this project is a great example of how a dedicated project team that works together, despite schedule and procurement challenges, can achieve both a beautiful space and certification at the same time. 

Administaff’s new space is the company’s second Boston-area office.

AB: Why does Boston continue to be a good fit for Shawmut?

VR: Since 1982, Shawmut has enjoyed success and growth in Boston.  Because it is a diversified city with many thriving industries and institutions, there is a great amount of design and construction work here, and it continues to be a good fit for Shawmut because of its diversity of project types.  We are active on many fronts and experts in each of the areas.  These areas include academia, corporate and commercial space, historic preservation, and healthcare.  In addition, Boston has great, diverse people.  As evidenced by our love of our sports teams, Bostonians are proud and passionate, and this fits well with our work culture.