Truth Box, D+P, Peregrine Urban Initiative, Studio G

Innovativ(E+) Ideas -A perforated screen with cut-outs creates changing patterns of light and shadow, reminding residents of the sun’s movement.

1_SITE+CONTEXT_spk

 

Site + Context


Peregrine+Studio G_HOMEOWNERSHIP+COMMUNITY_spk_sm

 

Homeownership + Community


Peregrine+Studio G_LAYERS+PROGRAM

 

Mixed Use + Terrace Street


Peregrine+Studio G_ENERGY+CONSERVATION

 

Envelope + Systems = Energy+


Peregrine+Studio G_CONNECT+INTERACT

 

Connect + Interact


Project Team

Developer:
Truth Box, Inc
D+P Real Estate
Peregrine Urban Initiative

Architect:
Studio G Architects

LEED/Energy Consultant:
Steven Winter Associates, Inc.

Landscape Architect:
Klopfer Martin Design Group

Property Manager:
Peabody Properties, Inc

Community Gardens:
Boston Natural Areas Network

Environmental/Civil Engineer:
ESS Group

Builder/Contractor:
NEI General Contracting” 

Land Use Statistics
 Housing

  • 52,284 sqft Residential
  • 45 Total Living units

Commercial

  • 2,575 sqft on Terrace St.

Art Park/Public Open Spaces

  • 3 primary green spaces/corridors
  • Landscaped, terraced promenade/walkway connecting Parker & Terrace
  • 4th Floor common deck

Community Garden

  • 50+ Community garden plots

Parking

  • 30 Spaces (25 enclosed, 5 outdoor) along Terrace Street; 7 Garage Spaces at Parker Street.
  • 1-story, below-grade parking structure and Private Garages for Townhouses at Parker Street.
  • Cross-functional, small, permeable surface lot
Community Garden Design
Our proposed site design is organized around three primary green spaces and corridors: We have provided a multifunctional community garden along Parker Street that integrates fluidly into a terraced yet accessible green walkway. Additionally there is a distinctive linear green corridor that both physically and visually connects the upper Parker Street buildings to the development along Terrace Street. Every building in our plan fronts along this unique green spine that is planned to be as defensible as it is beautiful, creating a second layer of semi-public green space common to the residents of our proposed development.

Our team focused on ways to make the site functional and open, from hiding the parking underground, to managing storm water, to using walls and sloped grade to create level spaces for people to congregate and children to play. Additionally, the south face of the largest building includes a screen on the façade, which holds the potential of supporting native vines to extend the reach of the landscape on the site. 

Building Design

The project concept calls for 7 row-house units along Parker Street in two buildings that will be offered for sale through a condominium ownership structure. Each home on Parker St. is provided with its own dedicated parking for 1 car below grade. The design of the units along Parker is inspired by the traditional architectural elements that make Mission Hill an attractive and distinguishable neighborhood – Bay windows, traditional clapboards, three-story massing with slender, elegant façades. In accordance with the city’s inclusionary zoning policy, 1 of the 7 row house units at Parker Street is designated affordable to households earning 80% of AMI.

Along Terrace, we have pursued a more experimental approach – dictated both by the context of the industrial uses occupying the street; but also driven by the substantial innovation required to achieve Energy Positive performance for a multifamily building of this scale. With 38 units, we believe the proposed 4 story apartment building would be the largest Energy Positive multifamily building in the US.

The massing of the building is consistent with the historical layout and massing of the Union Brewery building which originally occupied the site. The contours of the structure are modeled to maximize natural daylight and fresh air access in all living spaces, while creating a dynamic presence in the streetscape. The exterior finishes are urban and contemporary, reflecting an emphasis on renewable & recycled materials. 

Sustainable Design

Wherever possible, the buildings were located to take advantage of direct sunlight. Windows were sized appropriately depending on the direction of the facades, and shading devices added on all south-facing windows. The exterior of the buildings are designed beyond local code requirements, and most green building requirements, such as LEED, regarding energy-efficiency. Thick walls and roofs insulate the occupants from cold and heat outdoors, allowing the design engineers to appropriately size heating and cooling equipment to be significantly smaller than comparable, new code-compliant construction. Also clustered residential units insulate each other and reduce exposure to temperature differentials. Mechanical ventilation is installed in all units to maintain fresh air indoors at any time when the windows are closed. Finally to encourage occupant awareness of the energy systems and of energy conservation, an energy monitor for each unit allows residents to track and analyze their energy usage. A lower total energy load – based on these design efforts – is the core of the energy management plan.

Roof size is maximized on all buildings to allow for the largest array of solar energy panels on site. Both photovoltaic (PV) panels and solar thermal panels are utilized to generate more than enough electricity and hot water to meet the needs of the residents. All the panels required to energize the residential units, common areas and grounds are accommodated on the roof areas.

A comprehensive storm water management system for the site has been designed to collect as much water on site. Storage areas and cisterns are located strategically. All plumbing fixtures meet or exceed standards for water conservation. 

HERS Rating
Avg: -6
Individual Unit Scores: -2, -5, -15, -5, -3
Preliminary LEED Rating
2008 Checklist Rating: 97.5
Pts. above Platinum (2008): 6

V.4 Checklist Rating: 85.5