Saltonstall Architects, Inc. completed the design and construction administration of a new 9,800 s/f sustainable office building for Baldwin Brothers Corp.
To increase the overall energy efficiency, the building is designed with a tight envelope with high R-value, sprayed-in insulation. The exterior siding is composed of natural raw and recycled materials. Overhangs on the southern and eastern facades reduce solar heat gain while still maximizing natural daylighting to the workspaces. The building is supplied with natural light through roof mounted window monitors that supply direct and indirect light into the interior spaces and have operable windows to allow for natural ventilation. When interior lighting is required, highly efficient light fixtures in the offices adjust their light levels depending on the natural daylight available.
A site storm water management design captures roof water for plant watering and a storm water "stream" directs water at surfaces to the landscape features. 15% of the .91 acre lot is covered by impervious surfaces and adaptive and native plantings fill over 50% of the total site.
The owners will continue to increase the sustainability of the building; it has been pre-wired to receive solar panels that are estimated to provide up to 25% of the buildings total energy needs and produce renewable energy on site.
"Baldwin Brothers is a great example of a forward thinking business that sees the value in good design. By creating a healthy and inspiring work environment, the company is increasing employee loyalty, productivity, and highlighting the value of the employees in developing a successful business," said William W. Saltonstall, principal of Saltonstall Architects.
Baldwin Brothers Corp. as a private asset management firm sponsoring work in the world of Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), the firm saw the new office facility design as an opportunity to embrace sustainable design principles and promote responsible building practices.