Union Square USQ, 10 Prospect Street
Somerville, Mass.
Merit Award
Sent by: Gilbane Building Co.
Owner: Union Square RELP D2.1 Managing Venture LLC
Main design: Spagnolo Gisness & Associates Inc.
General contractor: Gilbane Building Co.
Structural Engineer: McNamara/Salvia Inc.
MEP Engineer: AHA Consulting Engineers Inc.
The 205,000-square-foot mixed-use life sciences building in the heart of Union Square features lab-ready infrastructure and flexible, efficient floor plans.
The building, which includes biosafety level 3 facilities and a vivarium, consists of seven floors topped by a two-story mechanical attic to support essential life science equipment.
A robust safety plan was required with the project located adjacent to a new transit station resulting in a significant increase in pedestrian traffic at the corner site of a busy pedestrian and traffic intersection. These site conditions also required just-in-time deliveries.
The project’s dense residential neighborhood also has noise ordinances that restrict nighttime and weekend activities. The contractor sequenced the erection of the exterior wall so that the temporary interior lighting would be less intrusive to neighbors, according to the filing.
The original geotechnical design used pressure-injected soils that required redesign after problems were encountered after installation began. After switching to precast piles, the contractor worked with the designer and subcontractor to provide pricing and technical input. This proactive support allowed the contractor to immediately implement the change the day after the design bulletin was published.
The building, which has LEED Gold and WiredScore Platinum sustainability certifications, was completed in two years on schedule and on budget.
