RDK Engineers celebrates opening of Shapiro Ambulatory Care Center

RDK Engineers (RDK) was part of the of the project team for Boston Medical Center's new Carl J. and Ruth Shapiro Ambulatory Care Center. RDK joined forces with Tsoi/Kobus Architects and provided the MEP/FP engineering design services for the new Shapiro Center, which celebrated its official ribbon cutting ceremony on April 12th. Boston mayor Thomas Menino, who spoke at the event, attributed the new center's success not only to those who built the walls of the Shapiro Center, but those who provide all the medical services and support within it, and many others reflected on Boston Medical Center's dedication to "exceptional care, without expection." Located on Albany St., the new nine-story, 235,000 s/f building will consolidate many of Boston Medical Center's outpatient services and contains exam rooms, clinical labs, MRI suites, office suites, support space, and a café. The project also included a two-story, 20,000 s/f expansion of the Menino Pavilion to house general stores, patient observation units, and MRI suites. Prior to construction of the new center, the existing facility was demolished and the RDK project team relocated the previous building's utilities into the basement of the Menino Pavilion. Registered with the Green Guide for Healthcare with a targeted LEED-Silver equivalent rating, the facility includes several energy-efficient and water conserving features, including free-cooling systems, low-flow toilet fixtures and automated lighting controls that dim lights based on the levels of natural lighting. "The Boston Medical Center has a well-deserved reputation of exceptional patient care, and we made sure to consider how our designs would affect the doctors, patients, and families who would use this facility every day," said Joe Bonanno, RDK project manager. "We were honored to be present for the official ribbon cutting and to be a part of this important facility."