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Present: Matthew Bronski, Cynthia Chabot, Christina Contis, Marilyn Fenollosa, David Fixler, Jack Glassman, Rachael Gordon, Ellen Lipsey, Henry MacLean, Laura Mackowiak, Doug Manley, Sarah Meginness, Ivan Myjer, Albert Rex, Deborah Robinson, Brian Roche, Malcolm Smiley, Stacey Thomas, Erin Tobin, and Sara Wermiel Henry Moss being out of town the day of the meeting, Sara Wermiel and Matthew Bronski endeavored to fill his shoes. 1. Sustainable Restoration of Boston City Hall: Henry MacLean, Shepley Bulfinch Richardson & Abbot, presented ideas for how to renovate City Hall so as to reduce its energy consumption, increase useable floor area, and create a space for teaching about environmentalism. The project grew out of a studio Henry taught some years ago at Wentworth Institute, part of the "Vital Signs" program. Buildings consume about 40% of all the energy used in the U.S. annually, so reductions in this sector could have a big impact. Among the findings from the course were that City Hall's energy utilization rate was about double (at about 275,000 BTU/sq. ft.) the average consumption for office buildings and 5 time more than "green" buildings. The basic plan for greening the building is to put a translucent dome over it and fill in between the legs of the building at the third to fifth levels. The new covering and new light-admitting walls would reduce heat loss (and save money), allow for a better ventilation system, and create more floor area in the building. Henry's design attempted to preserve the massing, geometric forms, and light/shadow of the façade (he reported that Henry Wood, who superintended construction of the building, was mainly concerned that the exterior not be changed). Thus, the dome was low - no higher than some mechanical penthouses now on the roof, which would be removed - and the new walls were set back from the front surface of the legs so the structural form stood out. While Henry has been talking about this project for several years to no avail, he thinks that a recent petition from City Hall workers that claims the building is sick may be the opportunity for opening a serious discussion about wholesale renovation. The building is 35 years old and its mechanical system has never been updated. Henry finished up by showing slides of exemplary green buildings in Europe. We discussed whether City Hall is landmarked and Ellen Lipsey, Boston Landmarks Commission, said it is not. Albert Rex, Boston Preservation Alliance, proposed that City Hall have a czar; he has found interesting spaces in the building when he's taken the stairs rather than the elevators - spaces that a czar might encourage visitors to discover. David Fixler, Einhorn Yaffee Prescott, commented that he understood the building was unfinished (for example, a roof café was never built). Henry said that was so. 2. Members' current projects: David Fixler reported on his work. Besides Harvard U.'s Widener Library, which some members saw on a recent tour, he will be working on a renovation/adaptive reuse of Hillis Library, the former Radcliffe library, a 1960s building. He is also working on a renovation of the Pine Street Inn tower; toughest part will be finding bricks to match the color of the original. To protect passersby from falling bits of the tower, a staging has been built around it, which is used as a billboard. This advertising is helping to pay for the renovation work. Cindy Chabot, Chabot Engineering, asked if anyone knew about the Stone Foundation. She was thinking of attending one of their upcoming meetings and was wondering if anyone had experience with the group (no one had). Erin Tobin, Grants Division at MHC, reports that she has been busy reviewing grant applications. MHC has nearly $4 million to give out, for which it received approximately 120 applications. Erin is reviewing applications for the Round VIII MPPF Cycle. Word is expected soon on whether there will be future grant rounds (and should anyone like to contact their local legislator to support funding for this, the bills for future funding are Senate Bill 1536 and House Bill 3427). 3. Other business and upcoming events: Albert Rex reported that the owner of the Modern Theater on Washington Street in Boston (Levin Assoc.) has requested a demolition permit for the building. The Modern is considered historically important (rated a 2). However, it is empty and deteriorated, and the owner, on the advice of his engineer, considers renovation too expensive. The demo. request will be considered at a June 26 meeting and Albert asks that people attend or write letters to the Landmarks Commission to urge a demolition delay. The building shares party walls with the Opera House and the White Building. Albert says construction on the Opera House should begin soon. David Fixler announced a meeting for people who want to help plan a conference, to be held in 2003, on metals in architecture: June 22nd at Susan Schur's house (call first). Matthew Bronski, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, announced a tour with APT of Portland quarry in Connecticut, on Saturday, July 14. HRC members are welcome to join. The Lowell Folk Festival will have a large conservation arts section this year. Lynn Hovey studio will be represented there. The Festival is July 27-29 in downtown Lowell. It's free and if you've never been, it's a lot of fun (many stages, with music, dance, and storytelling; a crafts/demonstration area; and great food stands serving tasty things made by immigrants who have settled in Lowell). |