888 Boylston

Boston, MA, USA

Project details
Client

Boston Properties

Architect

FXFOWLE Architects

Duration

Completed in 2016

Services provided by Buro Happold

Building Information Management (BIM), Building Services Engineering (MEP), Energy consulting, Facade engineering, Lighting design, Security and Technology

This new 432,600ft² commercial office has been conceived as the final piece of the Prudential Center development in the Back Bay.

Comprising 16 floors containing offices, retail and amenity spaces, the building program for 888 Boylston has been flexibly designed to meet the varied needs of tenants while optimizing the indoor environment.

Challenge

Buro Happold provided MEP engineering, facade engineering, architectural lighting and energy modeling analysis services for the development, which is located on a tight urban site bordered by existing infrastructure and buildings. We were also tasked with diverting existing utility systems in the car park area to make way for the structural core of the proposed building.

The client wanted the project to achieve a LEED Platinum certification, which required our team to carefully consider the building’s energy consumption.

office development bolyston boston america urban building
888 Boylston Street places occupant comfort at its heart, providing flexible office space, retail outlets and many other amenities over 16 floors. Image: Buro Happold

Solution

Our energy analysts completed renewable energy and co-generation feasibility studies in the initial stages of the project. Utilizing custom modeling software, they worked closely with the facade engineering team to evaluate high performance criteria and identify window-to-wall ratios and glazing percentages.

Sustainable features included a 107 kW PV array and a 14 kW wind turbine arrangement on the roof. Floor to ceiling glass windows also reduce the need for synthetic lighting, helping the project to establish a new benchmark in efficient design.

An ambitious LEED Platinum development for Boston. Image: Buro Happold

Value

Our work on 888 Boylston puts occupant experience and sustainability at the heart of its design, delivering a range of health, wellbeing and productivity benefits to its users. And having achieved LEED Platinum certification, this exceptional commercial office accommodation has been designed to be New England’s most sustainable building of its type for many years to come.

Awards

2017

IALD, Award of Merit + Sustainability, Winner