Vantage Builders, Inc. finalizes new 19,000 s/f headquarters renovation for Accion

Vantage Builders, Inc., a general contracting and construction firm based in Waltham, Mass., completed a 19,000 s/f headquarters renovation project for Accion, an international nonprofit dedicated to microfinance. The new office is at 10 Fawcett St., Cambridge, Mass. Accion's primary preference for its new office space was to have an environment that would promote better collaboration and access among its team members, especially as they would be distributed between the building's second and third floors. Following plans from project architects Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., Vantage met this need head-on. Vantage built an open office environment, to encourage greater interaction and communication among the Accion team. The space features 27 offices, more than 70 cubicles and plenty of "touchdown space" for traveling employees and visitors to work. A new interior stairwell between the second and third floors, referred to as the "collaboration stairway," ensures that employees separated by floors can still easily connect with one another. "Everyone at Accion is very excited about our new headquarters space," said Livingston Parsons, chief financial officer, Accion. "The office reflects the excitement and energy that our team brings each day to implement our vision of a financially inclusive world, in which every individual has access to high-quality, affordable financial services." A unique interior "eyebrow" soffit runs throughout, providing continuity to the design. The office features high-end millwork with solid surfaces utilizing reclaimed wood. The vibrant paint and carpeting are revealed by high-end lighting equipped with state-of-the-art "daylighting" controls. By optimizing natural light to offset the amount of electric lighting, the system dramatically reduces the office's energy consumption. Vantage also installed new mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems. Accion moved to its new headquarters in December. The organization had been located in Charlestown. The project team also included Diversified Project Management, which assisted with the lease review and is providing comprehensive owner's representative services including budget and schedule oversight, construction administration, move management and disposition of the old space. 10 Fawcett St. is owned by Griffith Properties. Vantage Builders offers contracting services to corporations, developers, property managers, retailers and private institutions throughout New England. Their standard construction services include general contracting and construction management. More comprehensive services include design/build and value engineering. In managing and building scores of commercial projects, they've found that versatility is key to their customers' success. Their experience includes specialized tenant build-outs, standard property improvements, base building work and construction from the ground up.