Dennis Mires, P.A. designs 32,000 s/f mixed-use project for N.H. Institute of Art; $7.3 million facility built by Milestone Engineering & Construction

Dennis Mires, P.A., The Architects has completed 88 Lowell St. for the New Hampshire Institute of Art. This $7.3 million project saved the city's first high school building by moving it forward on the site over a new basement, restoring it, and constructing a new connector and six story addition. The completed 32,000 s/f mixed use project provides 12 classrooms and studios, 54 dormitory beds, faculty offices and support spaces. The solution employs many sustainable strategies including reusing the embodied energy of the historic building; providing a high performance envelope; using day lighting, shading and glazing to advantage; employing a geothermal heating and cooling energy source; using rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing; employing a photovoltaic array on our sunshades to provide a portion of the electrical needs; no VOC materials, and locally produced materials. This effort expects to result in a LEED Gold certification for this downtown property. The project was completed on time and under budget by Milestone Engineering & Construction, Inc.