ARC designs 180,000 s/f science center for Genzyme - receives LEED Gold certification

Genzyme's new Science Center, a 180,000 s/f facility at Genzyme Corp.'s campus has earned LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) becoming one of only 10 laboratories in the nation to achieve this high rating. Designed by ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge, a nationally recognized architectural, planning and interior design firm specializing in science, educational, sports and corporate facilities, the building was awarded LEED Gold Certification with 41 points.  LEED is a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance sustainable buildings and is awarded by USGBC. "We're delighted and honored that this building has received LEED Gold Certification, one of the highest ratings for sustainability and green building in the country," said Jeff Johnson, AIA, LEED AP, principal at ARC/Architectural. "From the very beginning, our goal was not only to design a signature facility that met Genzyme's corporate objective of enhancing the flow of information among its employees, but also to create a sustainable building that serves as a benchmark for similar, high-performance facilities by demonstrating the potential of green design for research buildings." Located at 49 New York Ave., the Science Center consists of a 180,000 s/f new laboratory and administrative building.  An adjacent 27,000 s/f central utilities building (CUB) supplies the Science Center and three other Genzyme buildings on the Framingham campus. The Genzyme Science Center incorporated several green features including: a sophisticated heating and cooling system, high-efficiency fume hoods for researchers, low-flow water fixtures and landscaping based on drought-tolerant native species. Moreover, ARC's design made extensive use of glass throughout the building in order to maximize day lighting in combination with active artificial lighting controls. Bovis Lend Lease served as the general contractor for the project. The engineer was Bard, Rao & Athanas Consulting Engineers Inc.