Cambridge, MA

441 Morgan Avenue

Scope/Solutions

The multiple buildings at the forty-three-acre Cambridge Crossing site were each developed by different architectural teams. Designed by Ennead, in collaboration with Jacobs, the architect of record, the twelve-story building on Parcel U at 441 Morgan Avenue includes ten levels of speculative office space for life science tenants, two mechanical penthouse levels, and three below-grade parking levels. SGH provided building enclosure commissioning (BECx) services and consulted on the building enclosure featuring a custom curtain wall facade with offset elevations and multiple setbacks.

SGH collaborated with the project team on the building enclosure design, bidding and design-assist process, construction, and commissioning. Highlights of our work include:

  • Establishing performance expectations by developing the BECx plan and specification and outlining testing requirements, project team roles and responsibilities, and procedures for documenting and resolving construction-related issues
  • Supporting the project team’s effort in obtaining LEED certification
  • Peer reviewing the enclosure design, including below-grade and terrace waterproofing, roofing, opaque walls with punched windows, and unitized curtain wall systems
  • Assisting with the design of the custom unitized curtain wall assembly with integral terra cotta elements and electrochromic glazing on several elevations
  • Visiting the unitized curtain wall and electrochromatic manufacturing facilities to review their fabrication and quality control processes
  • Participating in a performance mockup of the custom curtain wall assembly and witnessing construction and performance testing at an off-site laboratory
  • Peer reviewing the project’s energy model prepared by others and helping the project team meet energy code requirements that took effect after design completion
  • Developing details to integrate the enclosure systems and preparing three-dimensional drawings to depict construction sequencing at complex interfaces
  • Providing construction phase services, including reviewing contractor submittals, visiting the site to observe ongoing construction, and helping resolve field conditions
  • Helping detail and perform quality reviews of below-grade waterproofing installation
  • Performing air/water infiltration testing of windows and curtain walls, infrared surveys to identify wet materials within the roofing assembly, and partial building air infiltration testing to verify the enclosure meets airtightness requirements
  • Evaluating performance during a ten-month, post-occupancy site visit

Project Summary

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2023

Completion Date
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375K

Project Size
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Award

Winner
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LEED

Certification
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Building Enclosures | Applied Science & Research
Markets
Commercial | Health Care & Life Sciences
Client(s)
DivcoWest Real Estate Services, LLC
Specialized Capabilities
Building Science | Commissioning | Facades & Glazing | Roofing & Waterproofing | Environmental Simulations

Key team members

Jeffry Ceruti
Consulting Principal
Christopher Grey
Principal

Additional Projects

Northeast

350 Water Street

Cambridge Crossing is a forty-three-acre, mixed-use development adjacent to Kendall Square and served by the new MBTA Green Line extension. The new building on Parcel G at 350 Water Street houses twelve levels for life science office and laboratory space.
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Northeast

A/D/O

Centered around the Design Academy, A/D/O is a transformed warehouse in Greenpoint dedicated to the creative arts. The space houses Urban-X, a start-up investment and advancement organization founded by MINI. SGH was the structural engineer for this adaptive reuse project.
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