Boston, March 20, 2006—Shawmut Design and Construction recently completed construction of the first LEED Certified building on Phillips Exeter Academy’s New Hampshire campus. The Academy Center has applied for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its sustainable and environmental friendly design. Phillips Exeter selected Shawmut for its expertise on independent school campuses, its experience in working on occupied campuses throughout New England, and its ability to execute ‘green’ elements.
“Since the Academy Center was a high-profile job, located in the center of our campus, we wanted to be sure that the project was completed on time with limited interference to students and faculty,” said Guy Conrad of Phillips Exeter Academy. “We have worked with Shawmut for several years and are continually impressed with their ability to execute projects while keeping students’ interests a priority.”
The multi-purpose facility includes space for day students, club rooms, the student radio station, and the post office. Additionally, the Academy Center will feature a large lecture hall with fixed seating for 200, a grill and convenience store. The project included a full gut renovation, major structural upgrades and construction of a 4,200 SF addition. The center features high-end finishes including a 12-foot diameter cherry in lay which was hand-fit into the maple wood flooring at the entrance of the building, elaborate wood ceilings, and intricate millwork.
Several design and construction elements contributed to LEED Certification. For example, during demolition the construction team separated waste into eight different receptacles for optimal recycling, trees and shrubbery around the building were preserved and environmental friendly flooring and roofing products were used. Additionally, the wood from a 100-year-old oak tree near the building was salvaged and used as paneling and to make a large conference table. The reuse of the Thompson Science Building, in itself, exemplified ‘green’ building.
Shawmut worked closely with Philips Exeter and architects Centerbrook Architects and Planners, LLC and Sheri Bryant Lucero, AIA Associate, during pre-construction to develop a budget. Shawmut’s used its innovative “Outside the Construction Fence” program to ensure the construction did not disrupt the active campus.
