Rebecca Maloney
Americas Press Office ,Boston
Arup participated in the design and reconstruction of the historic Ferdinand Building in Roxbury’s Dudley Square neighbourhood, dedicated now as the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building.
A grand reopening ceremony was held on 25 April for Dudley Square’s Bolling Building. Working directly for local architect Sasaki, in collaboration with the Netherlands-based design firm Mecanoo, Arup’s structural engineering design responded to complex demands on the gravity system, enabling the architect’s vision of creating a column-free lobby while integrating all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems into the sleek interior space.
The construction of the Bruce C. Bolling Building was a collaboration of Boston's Property and Construction Management Department (PCMD), the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), and the City of Boston under the leadership of Mayor Walsh, and will serve as the new headquarters for the Boston Public School system.
Part of Arup’s design challenge was to support the preservation of the historic façade while tying floor returns and systems together to enforce the modern features of the new building. In addition to structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering, Arup provided IT and communications consulting on the project. The creative design and careful delivery of all services enabled the contractor to keep the amount of steel under control and the project on schedule. By participating in the early stages of design, Arup was able to respond to key design concepts in a way that helped bring together the architect’s design within a reasonable budget.
“"We thoroughly enjoy delving into the details of a complex architectural project and making the project function as a realistic manifestation of the architect’s vision."Mark Walsh-Cooke, Arup Principal and project director
The revitalisation of Dudley Square was one of former Boston Mayor Menino’s top priorities, with the renovation and expansion of the Ferdinand Building at its centre. Arup’s participation in the project brought a sensitivity to the historic nature of the building while implementing high-performance building standards and full systems integration. Helping to achieve the goals of cost-effective construction while maximising the potential for energy reduction, Arup specified chilled beams, energy recovery air handling units, and condensing boilers to help the project achieve LEED Gold.