PERSPECTIVES

Developer James Baker is expanding the scope of his proposed local market project on the corner of Savin Hill Avenue and Sydney Street to include more parking and 15 condominiums in a separate building, he told members of the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association at their planning meeting Tuesday night.

The long-empty corner property— once a busy variety store— will get a second chance as a neighborhood market, Baker says. Its design has not been altered much from the version pitched to the civic group in March, a staggered three-story structure that would house a first-floor market and two floors of retail space above. That plan was met with general support from members of the planning committee.

The project is growing to include a residential component on the two Sydney Street lots, Baker said. At this early stage, Baker is pitching a 15-unit, three-story apartment building along Sydney Street, leaving room for 10 parking spaces behind the structure. Another two spaces would be allocated for retail only, he said.

Cristo Rey is in talks to help accommodate the retail needs, Baker said. The high school may allow them to move the location of the handicapped access ramp to open up some space along the property divide, as well as allow use of the school parking lot during non-school hours.

“We’re working to formalize an agreement,” Baker said, though nothing has been signed yet.

Kevin Deabler with RODE Architects said they are working on the design to allow the properties and the school to “cohabitate” in the neighborhood.

Baker is soliciting community feedback through a project page on coUrbanize.com. Residents will be able to see plans and offer comments on the project through the website.

For more information, read the original article by Jennifer Smith at the Dorchester Reporter here.

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RODE is working with Chef Jason Cheek to bring a new Southern-style restaurant to Boston. Cheek, who has a lengthy history cooking at restaurants all around the city, is the force behind Southern Proper, located at The Girard at 600 Harrison Ave. in Boston’s South End.

Stay tuned for project updates on our mission to create a perfect setting for authentic Southern fare!

For more information, head to the original Article at Eater Boston.

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Original article, by Brenda Buote at the Boston Globe, can be read here.

RODE Architects Inc. of Boston is working alongside developer Traggorth Companies to convert vacant, historic buildings into mixed-use buildings in an effort to revitalize Haverhill’s historic downtown. RODE, which completed the renovation of JM Lofts at 37 Washington St., is now beginning work on 87 Washington, which contains many of the same features. 87 Washington will include a mix of residential apartments on the upper floors with street-level retail space. Both projects were funded through Massachusetts Historic Commission tax credits, with support from the state Department of Housing and Community Development’s Housing Development Incentive Program. Both projects include necessary structural upgrades; replacement of windows with new, historically accurate ones; and repair and replacement of historic brick, stone, and cast-iron facade elements.

Photo credit: Christian Borger

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The construction of our “Flats on Savin” project is really starting to take shape.  The Hush-Frame rafts have all been installed with a layer of 7/8” wood strapping.   Insulation will soon be in place and the final layer of the system, drywall, will follow.

One of the most important aspects of the installation has been the ‘buy-in’ of the G.C.’s sub-contractors.   All of the rough electrical, fire alarm, HVAC must be isolated from the studs.   This isolation prevents any transition of sound vibration to the strapping and the drywall.   Bald Hill Builders and their subs have been working hard to ensure that all the roughs are fastened to the strapping.  In addition, when the drywall is installed, the contractor will use drywall screws no larger than 1 1/4” to ensure there is no fastening through the strapping and into the studs.   This kind of attention to detail will pay dividends to the proper execution of the system.  

Below is a collection of data that was gathered on-site after the windows and sheathing were installed and prior to drywall, insulation, and siding.  

On Wednesday April 19, 2017 @ 10:00am the following reading were collected from Bedroom #1 in Unit 206 on the Second floor.

Ambient sound facing away from I-93         – 46 dB (Delta - 8 dB)

I-93 Ambient base sound                               - 56 dB (Delta - 9 dB)

I-93 Spike from truck                                       - 63 dB (Delta - 15 dB)

Ashmont Train arrival to Savin Hill                 - 70 dB (Delta - 12 dB)

Ashmont Train departure from Savin Hill     - 64 dB (Delta - 22 dB)

Braintree Train passing at full speed            - 73 dB (Delta - 22 dB)

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GE hosted a “Lighting Design Competition” to crowdsource ideas and drive innovation to tackle industry problems Entrants were eligible to win cash as well as internships and future collaboration opportunities. We tapped RODE Architect’s own Katie Cressall to participate, as well as to share her approach and ideas developed for the competition. Here’s her take on the challenge and proposed solution:

“The challenge was to design a new office lighting typology using cutting edge GE products, including Bluetooth technology and cloud data, as a basis. My approach was to incorporate concepts from environmental psychology and use new technology to enhance feelings of wellness. Light has a large influence on comfort levels and can play a suggestive role in the emotions and sensory experience of occupants.

One clear example of light influencing the mind-body connection, is apparent in its ability to activate the body’s arousal system to change the sleep-wake schedule. Many people in the workforce suffering from sleep deprivation and lighting systems can help to adjust the natural circadian rhythm. This approach presents the opportunity for employees to receive enough early-morning light exposure to “wake up” their natural body clock and become more productive. Illumination of approximately 2500 lux or more at eye level for 1-2 hours is required to obtain successful results. If the lighting system is set to turn on the eye-level desk or task lights in the morning – it can act like cup of coffee in light fixture form.

The increase and decrease of eye-level light in the morning would be gradual so as to not disrupt workflow. An increase in eye-level light during the late afternoon would also activate the arousal system and get people through the “afternoon slump.” Light levels would decrease after typical work hours to allow the body to prepare for sleep. This also presents the option to increase light levels to help meet certain deadlines by overriding the system. Light levels and the body’s natural clock have been noted to help with jet lag and adjustment to changing time shifts for work. A custom light setting can be made for employees who work odd hours I, to accommodate differing time zones, or for companies that operate 24-7.

The psychosomatic effect of the lights could also increase the levels of light for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the winter. The cloud would activate the lights more in the winter to aid employees, especially those who work in environments with darker winters. Supporting workers in this way increases productivity and lets them know their employer is  prioritizing their wellbeing and  improving the office experience. A sensor monitoring natural light levels can also decrease cost by providing illumination only when natural light is not sufficient. Occupancy and motion/cellphone tracking can provide light only where there are people around and shut off when there are not. When there is cell signal, but no movement, this indicates to the system that users are sedentary and likely looking at a self-illuminated screen so normal light levels can be decreased. This system works to create an environment that focuses on the employee experience while also decreasing lighting overuse by taking into account people using the space and outside weather conditions.”

For more information on the challenge, visit: http://static.geinnovationlab.com/challenges/lighting.html

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