Essex Bldrs. completes $2.2m renovation of First Parish Church

Essex Builders Corp. recently completed a $2.2 million renovation to First Parish Church. Design and construction focused on utilizing high-efficiency products and features to ensure a sustainable design, while guaranteeing long-term cost effectiveness. "Essex Builders did a first-class job as general contractor for the renovation and expansion of First Parish in Needham," said minister John Buehrens. The project, designed by Johnson Olney Associates, Inc., included: 2,500 s/f of renovations to the chapel, additional space for the existing daycare and a new 12,500 s/f parish hall which has energy efficient double-pane windows. Additionally, the parish included such conservation features as; programmable and dimmable high-efficiency light fixtures, programmable thermostats, dual flush toilets, maple flooring as well as recycled flooring in the kitchen area. Insulation was blown into the existing walls of the parish to aid in the reduction of heating costs.