Photo from National Geographic

With a constant focus on sustainability and green building, Precast Specialties Corp. is proud to share this article featured on GreenBiz.com, naming Boston as one of the top ten markets for green building this year.

Behind the Top 10 List for Green Building Markets: How SF Made No. 1
By Leslie Guevarra

It’s always interesting to learn how the leaders in any Top 10 list emerged as the front-runners, especially in the sustainability arena where green rankings abound.

Rankings, spankings and scorecards are usually accompanied by summaries, if not full reports, from ratings organizations on why certain companies, cities or schools made the cut for any given list. Typically, though, readers want to know more, particularly if a favorite of theirs didn’t get recognition.

That’s not a problem with the compilers of the Green Building Opportunity Index, big believers in transparency who adhere to a more is more philosophy when it comes to data.

The producers of the index, Cushman & Wakefield and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s BetterBricks initiative, have decided to augment their detailed report on the 2011 Green Building Opportunity Index (PDF), issued last summer, with profiles of some of the 10 top-ranked markets.

Profiles of San Francisco (PDF), which was No. 1, and three other markets in the Top 10 became available this week.

The San Francisco profile, for example, lays out the factors that brought the city to the lead position. Those elements include office market conditions in the city, investment potential, market adoption of LEED and Energy Star and certification under those standards, green building and retrofit policy for commercial property and performance when it comes to state energy initiatives. The profile also looks at green culture in San Francisco — the state of its green economy, innovation, planning and land use, transit ridership and its walkability.

The other just-released profiles cover Los Angeles (PDF), Washington, D.C. (PDF), and Boston (PDF).

Here’s a recap of the Top 10 Markets identified by 2011 Green Building Opportunity Index:
1. San Francisco
2. Midtown New York
3. Washington, D.C.
4. Midtown South New York
5. Los Angeles
6. Boston
7. Downtown New York
8. Portland
9. Seattle
10. Oakland

Curbing and bumpers are provided with layout drawings. Our precast concrete products are sized and tagged to eliminate the need for on-site cutting and expedite installation. This service dramatically improves installation efficiency, saving time and money.

For commercial building needs, precast concrete not only offers benefits in terms of sustainability. For each unique structure, precast is an ideal building material to meet a wide range of functional and aesthetic requirements.

From the Precast Concrete Institute

Office Buildings
Design Challenge – Provide open interior spaces to create open-floor layouts and allow for rearrangement of spaces as needs change
Precast Solution – Hollow-core slab or double-tee floor and roof components have long span capabilities that eliminate columns and provide unobstructed runs for utilities in the cores of hollow-core or between double-tee stems

Design Challenge – Increase energy efficiency
Precast Solution – Thermal mass helps regulate temperatures; insulated precast concrete sandwich panels provide added energy efficiency due to insulation in the core

Design Challenge – Create secured parking beneath office levels
Precast Solution – Precast concrete structural systems can be used to create parking on lower levels, provide firerated separation, and allow flexible layout options for office space

Retail
Design Challenge – Create tall, open interiors to allow for flexible merchandising space
Precast Solution – Architectural precast concrete panels can be designed to provide high ceilings.

Design Challenge – Provide for future expansion of the facility
Precast Solution – Expansion can be accomplished by removing end panels and adding new panels onto the sides. Original mixtures and aggregates can be replicated in added panels to match the existing structure.

Stadiums and Arenas
Design Challenge – Design economical rows of seating that can withstand heavy loading
Precast Solution – Seating risers, especially economical double and triple risers, are the dominant choice for seating sections in outdoor stadiums and many indoor arenas. Shapes can vary to create needed sight lines, and vibrations can be controlled so that motion during use gives a sense of strength and security

Design Challenge – Ensure all materials can withstand year-round weather for many years with minimal maintenance required
Precast Solution – Precast concrete mixtures ensure a long life cycle with the capability to withstand use by large capacity crowd

Design Challenge – Create an aesthetic design that fits the owner’s need, whether it is a contemporary look or an old-fashioned stadium design with modern amenities
Precast Solution – Architectural precast concrete panels use colors, textures, reveals, finishes, formliners, or thinbrick insets to match any needed design style

Parking Structures
Design Challenge – Ensure high durability
Precast Solution – Concrete with low water–cement ratios and high-quality, plant-produced components projects against chloride penetration from deicing chemicals

Design Challenge – Meet the area’s seismic requirements.
Precast Solution – Precast concrete systems, using proven connection technology, allow precast concrete components to be used in all seismic zones

Mixed Use
Design Challenge – Create an upscale image while allowing each function with the building to maintain its own in design
Precast Solution – The plasticity of precast concrete components, and the variety of finishes that can be used, ensure that designs blend with any surroundings and project any needed corporate image, while also allowing for diversity

Design Challenge – Provide structural support for many small rooms above open, column-free ballrooms and conference areas
Precast Solution – Hollow-core slabs span long distances while providing structural support, minimizing columns on lower floors

Photo via Anmahian Winton Architects – American Indian Learning Resource Center (AILRC) will be one of the country’s leading American Indian centers at the University of Minnesota – Duluth

At Cambridge-based Anmahian Winton Architects, “architecture is an expression of culture, forged in relation to a complex set of circumstances that are at once practical and intangible…a synthesis of place, program, and community that enhances the rituals of everyday life and fosters a sense of well-being. It inspires, invigorates, and educates.” (AW Philosophy)

In addition to the belief that architecture elevates and enhances our daily lives, Anmahian Winton also maintains an exceptionally high standard for environmental stewardship with nearly all of the institutional and commercial projects being designed to achieve a LEED Gold certification, or better. As the firm explains, “Regardless of a project’s LEED goals, we are committed to designing buildings that carefully consider project impact on micro and macro ecosystems, that provide tangible operating benefits for our clients, and that create environmental benefits for our communities.” (AW Sustainable Design)

Precast Specialties Corp. would like to recognize this impressive firm whose vision combined with a focus on sustainability has led to award-winning, visually stunning projects including the Honor Award for Interior Architecture, 2012 from the American Institute of Architects and the American Architecture Award, 2011 from The Chicago Athenaeum for the Joukowsky Institute at Brown University (shown below).

Photo via Anmahian Winton Architects – Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World at Brown University

Introducing the Photocatalytic City: A Vision of the Environmental Future. (TX Active)

Staying up-to-date on the latest in green technology and products in the precast concrete world is constantly part of the Precast Specialties Corp. mission. We are proud to announce that we’ve been certified as a producer in using the revolutionary TX Active line of photocatalytic cement from Essroc Cement.

Essroc is a leading North American cement producer with over 6.5 million metric tons of annual capacity. Their TX Active products, TX Arca® and TX Aria®, are premier products utilizing photocatalytic properties to reduce pollutants and self-clean.

“Photocatalysis is a natural phenomenon in which a substance, the photocatalytic principle, utilizes light to alter the speed of a chemical reaction. By taking advantage of the energy of light, the principle will accelerate the formation of strong oxidizing reagents which will result in the decomposition of organic and inorganic pollutants. These pollutants are responsible for gathering on the surface of concrete causing discoloration, as well as, many health related issues. Photocatalysis is an accelerator of an oxidation process that already exists in nature. It promotes faster decomposition of pollutants and prevents them from accumulating.” (TX Active)

Ideal for precast panels from Precast Specialties Corp., TX Active photocatalytic cement greatly reduces or eliminates occurrences of soot, grime, and organic particulates, mold, mildew, fungus, and their spores, algae, bacteria, and allergens as well as tobacco smoke and stains that can stain or damage panels. In addition to self-cleaning, TX Active reduces pollutants including Nitrogen Oxides, Sulfur Oxides, Volatile Organic Compounds including benzene and toluene, Ammonia, Carbon Monoxide and Organic Chloride, creating safer, healthier environments.

To see TX active in action, visit http://txactive.us/diagram.html.

As one of only 13 U.S. architectural precast producers currently certified to use TX Active, Precast Specialties Corp. is pleased to be able to offer this innovative new product to our customers.

Photo from Contemporist

We couldn’t help but share this amazing use of concrete featured on design website Contemporist. From Sweden-based Kvarnen Studio and Forsberg Form, the TIDVIS collection is a group of visually stunning, minimalistic concrete grandfather clocks.

We are always looking for inspiration, and we found it in these clocks. At Precast Specialties Corp., our Architectural Products Group produces wall panels and trim work built to each customer’s specification. Our Roadway Products Group manufacturers precast curbing, parking bumpers and guardrail posts used by municipalities, developers, owners and contractors throughout the Northeast. In our Custom Products Groups, we work with architects and contractors to supply a range of custom precast materials to make sure the project is done right. From new finishes to interesting designs, we know that precast is an untapped resource for design inspiration.

At Precast Specialties Corp., we want to thank everyone for making 2011 a successful year. During the past year, we expanded our operations to include the new Solar Products Group and welcomed a new VP of Sales, Tim Breen, to the team. We had the opportunity to work with numerous great local architecture and construction firms to complete innovative and sustainable projects. We are looking forward to continued growth in 2012 and wish everyone safe and happy holidays and a great New Year!

Sheskey Architects is a full service architecture and interior design firm located in Quincy, MA. Sheskey provides fully coordinate design and construction services, customized to meet the needs of each individual client and each specific project.

From Pre-Design Services include site analysis and goal definition to Building Design with code research and coordination of consulting disciplines to Interior Design with materials selection and space planning, Precast respects the comprehensive, thorough dedication Sheskey gives to every project.

In 2006, Precast Specialties Corp. teamed up with Sheskey and engineering firm Veitas and Veitas Engineers to create the Kimball Woods apartment complex in Burlington. “Two ten-story steel framed structures were designed adjacent to a five-story precast parking garage. The project includes a total of 262 luxury apartments. Architectural precast was used as the exterior skin of the structure.” (Veitas and Veitas)

The use of precast concrete along with a number of other energy efficiency features made Kimball Woods one of the first Energy Star Homes rated rental properties in the region (Mullins).

We look forward to working with Sheskey Architects again in the future and applaud their work in architecture and interior design.

At Precast Specialties Corp., our mission is to embrace sustainable practices and continually educate our customers about the benefits of precast concrete as a sustainable building material. The following facts are from the National Precast Concrete Association’s “The Little Green Book of Concrete”, a great resource for precast information that we recommend reading!

- All the materials that go into precast concrete come from natural and recycled sources, mainly inorganic.

- Transportation costs can double the carbon footprint of construction materials through the burning of fossil fuels, which makes locally produced material, like precast concrete, more environmentally friendly.

- Many precast plants now incorporate concrete wastewater and cement recycling systems.

- Unlike other construction materials, precast concrete erection is much less disruptive to the site environment, producing far less construction debris, dust, noise and pollution.

- All reinforcing steel is made from 100 percent steel scrap. All reinforcing bars used in precast concrete are made from recycled steel. At the end of a precast structure’s life, the reinforcement can be recovered for recycling again.

- As with many concrete products, precast is easy to crush and recycle for use as aggregate – almost 100 percent of a concrete building can be recycled, no matter how heavily reinforced.

- Precast concrete is manufactured in plants under strictly controlled conditions, which means excellent resource efficiency for materials, labor, energy and processes.

- The easy installation of precast products makes for less noise pollution from the construction site, a significant benefit to those inhabiting or working in adjoining properties.

- The durability and long service life of precast products means fewer repairs and generations of service, which means less use of energy and natural resources during the lifetime of a product when compared with other materials.

- Over 60 years, a concrete home emits up to 15 tons less carbon dioxide than a lightweight alternative, thereby providing an environmentally better long-term solution.

- With operational energy (heating and cooling systems) accounting for about 90 percent of the energy consumption of a building, the ability of precast concrete systems to moderate temperature extremes is both economically important and good for the environment.

Expected to achieve LEED Silver certification by the US Green Building Council, the latest office building project that will house FM Global and Dedham Medical Associates located in Norwood began this November by Hobbs Brook Management LLC. With Marguiles Perruzzi Architects, a longtime Precast partner, and construction manager CM Columbia Construction, Hobbs Brook Management continues its reputation of incorporating energy efficient and green building practices into this new structure.

“Marguiles Perruzzi Architects designed the building to accommodate tenants with separate entrances and lobbies for each…A shared café resides on the FM Global side of the building but is accessible to Dedham Medical patients from an exterior door. The new building was sited to fit in to the complex of office buildings that comprises FM Global’s Center for Property Risk Solutions…The façade of precast concrete and metal rainscreen panels was chosen to blend into the context of the other buildings.

“The new building will be designed, constructed, and operated as a high-performance green building. Planned features include: 22% optimized energy performance; high performance HVAC equipment; 40% water use reduction; drought resistant plants, indigenous to the region that minimize the needs for irrigation water; bioswale and rain gardens that remove silt and pollution from surface water runoff prior to releasing in to the storm water system; a high reflection roof to reduce heat islands and to reduce building energy needs; solar shading on exterior window system to cut down on heat gain in the building; and the implementation of recycled and regional building product materials .” (High Profile)