Thornton Tomasetti/Fore Solutions provides consulting for Mount Pleasant Home/Brigham and Women's facility: $13.2 million renovation/historic project earns LEED Gold certification

According to Thornton Tomasetti, the Mount Pleasant Home/Brigham and Women's Advanced Primary Care facility has received LEED Gold certification. Fore Solutions, the green building consulting firm acquired by Thornton Tomasetti in 2012, was the sustainability and LEED consultant on the project. The $13.2 million renovation and expansion of the historic, nonprofit seniors housing center was completed in 2011, with Next Phase Studios serving as the architect. Key points: * The existing 23,000 s/f Mount Pleasant Home was renovated to enhance the sustainability aspects of the building. With the addition of 21,640 s/f, the number of residents that can be accommodated at Mount Pleasant Home increased from 44 to 66. * Included in the expansion of Mount Pleasant Home is Brigham and Women's Advanced Primary Care facility, an 8,750 s/f primary care facility to be used by Mount Pleasant Home residents as well the community. It is estimated that by 2014, the new center will serve 14,000 patients per year. * Thornton Tomasetti/Fore Solutions included skylights in the redesign to fill common areas and stairwells with natural light and reduce lighting costs and encouraged storm water recapturing for the irrigation of the facility gardens. High efficiency radiant heating and natural ventilation in the three-story glass atrium will achieve a 20% energy reduction compared with a typical building built to code. * A collection of photovoltaic panels on the rooftops of Mount Pleasant Home/Brigham and Women's Advanced Primary Care facility helps offset electrical usage. A solar thermal hot water system provides more than 80% of hot water needs for the residents. Jay Waterman, LEED AP BD+C, associate, Portland office, Thornton Tomasetti said, "We are pleased to have provided green consulting for Mount Pleasant Home/Brigham and Women's Advanced Primary Care facility, which has received LEED Gold certification. It is our goal to help new and existing buildings become models of energy efficiency in their communities."