802 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA
[CHRISTINA] LU JIN
Lighting | Electrical Option
BUILDING STATISTIC
Building Name
Location and Site
Building Occupant Name
Occupancy or Function Types
Size (total square feet)
Number of Stories
Primary Project Team
Dates of Construction
Project Delivery Method
Boston University School of Theater
820 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA
Boston University (students, faculties and guests)
Performing Arts / Education
80,000 SF
4 stories above grade; 6 total levels
Owner | Boston University
Project Manager | Stantec
Construction Manager | BOND Brothers
Building Architects | Elkus Manfredi Architects
Lighting Consultants | Auerbach Glasow French
Theatre Design | Auerbach Pollock Friedlander
MEPF Engineer | Vanderweil Engineers, LLP
Structural Engineer | Amman & Whitney
Landscape Architect | Mikyoung Kim Design
June 2016 – August 2017
Design – Bid – Build
BUILDING OVERVIEW
Boston University Theatre Center (BUTC) is a steel-beamed, glass-filled vibrant modern performance complex, located in the middle of BU’s Charles River Campus, the contrast of BUTC with its surroundings will change the dynamic tremendously and promote a more creative community.
This state-of-the-art performance complex has couple of highlighted spaces, including a featured high-bay lobby area, a large-scale multi-functional theatre space (aka. “Black Box”) with a seating capacity of up to 250 depending on the configuration of the stage, and also an exterior landscaped plaza fronting the Commonwealth Avenue.
Other than the featured spaces, BUTC also has a full complement of backstage performance/ technical support (storage, dressing rooms, production offices, kitchenette); shop spaces (scene shops, tool areas with dust collection and paint application, costume creation and storage); design and technical faculty offices; teaching spaces (classrooms, conference rooms, lighting/ audio labs); and support spaces such as restrooms, circulation and back of house areas.
Underneath the 4-story theatre center is a two-level subsurface parking garage (containing 182 parking spaces) in addition to the reconfigured landscaped surface parking lot (containing 104 spaces) makes up a total of 286 parking spaces.
HISTORICAL ELEMENTS
After a history of 33-year residence on the other side of the campus at the old Boston University Theater. This new modern performance complex – BUTC is now located in the middle of the BU’s Charles River Campus, to bring the performing art programs back close to BU College of Fine Arts (CFA). Which has allowed School of Theatre to end its long-standing tradition of cross-disciplinary collaboration through its academic outreach.
BUTC not only made it possible for the School of Theatre to be no longer split in two separate locations, but provides more opportunities for BU students, faculty, and staff to attend productions. In addition, this vibrant community could also promote a more creative environment, promise strengthened professional education, and increase the connectivity among collaborative artists at the same time. Most importantly the contrast of BUTC with its surroundings will change the dynamic tremendously and will be attractive to the student body and the general public.
SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES
The building is being designed to achieve Gold-level certification under USGBC LEED V3 2009, BUTC’s design team approaches the sustainable intent from couple of different aspects. Firstly, high performance wall material and roof constructions are used to avoid thermal bridging, also the combination of the high-performance glazing plus the daylight sensor made it possible to utilize the solar energy to the building’s advantage, and decrease its dependence on artificial light at the same time. Secondly, the use of natural ventilations could effectively bring down the air-conditioning load during favorable outdoor conditions. Thirdly, due to the diverse thermal design parameters of different types of spaces, sensitive location and definition of borders between zones are treated differently (like air curtain, etc.) to reduce thermal losses. Openings or fans for deliberate, controlled airflow are also designed between zones. In addition to the above, high efficiency HVAC systems like Demand-Controlled Ventilation, Exhaust Air Heat Recovery, Building Automation System, and Water-Side Economizers are also being considered and utilized as a contribution towards the sustainability strategies.
OVERVIEW
High-performance glazing
High-performance wall and roof constructions which avoid thermal bridging
Use of natural ventilation during favorable outdoor conditions
High-efficiency lighting design, including extensive use of LED fixtures
Sensitive location and definition of borders between zones to reduce thermal losses
Design of openings or fans for deliberate, controlled airflow between zones
Appropriate selection and evaluation of sound-absorbing materials
ENERGY EFFICIENT STRATEGIES
Demand-Controlled Ventilation
Demand controls enable the building to set back operations when a particular space is not in active use. The monitoring is connected through a CO2 sensor that indicates when occupants are present and require ventilation.
At less than full building occupancy, the DCV system can reduce ventilation air volume, thus reducing the energy required to heat or cool and dehumidify the ventilation air.
Exhaust Air Heat Recovery
With this system, heat is exchanged between the outgoing exhaust air and the incoming ventilation air. During the heating season, warm exhaust air helps to pre-heat the incoming outdoor air; during the cooling season, relatively cool exhaust air helps to pre-cool the incoming outdoor air. The heat recovery device will be between 50 percent and 75 percent efficient in capturing heat (or “coolth”) that would have otherwise been exhausted.
Building Automation System (BAS)
The design incorporates a Building Management System that can aid in the maintenance of the mechanical systems, ensuring safety and maximum energy optimization. When the system experiences an uptick of unusual energy use (as defined by the building staff), the appropriate point person for maintenance will be alerted.
High-Efficiency Chillers
The water-cooled chillers currently included in the design operate significantly more efficiently than comparable air-cooled chillers or packaged rooftop units.
Water-Side Economizer
A plate-and-frame heat exchanger will allow cooling tower condenser water to cool the building during the wintertime, also allowing the chiller plant to remain off.
Condensing Hot Water Boilers
The design includes condensing boilers, which operate at higher efficiency levels than conventional hot water boilers.
High-Efficiency Lighting
LED light fixtures are used throughout the building, saving energy compared to compact fluorescent technology.
Fan Coil Units with EC Fan Motors
Electrically-commutated (EC) fan motors allow the fan coil units (FCUs) to use less fan energy than typical FCUs.
PRIMARY ENGINEERING SYSTEMS DISCRIPTION
ELECTRICAL
CONSTRUCTION
LIGHTING
MECHANICAL
STRUCTURAL
BUILDING LIGHTING DESIGN + CONTROL SYSTEM
As Boston University Theatre Center is a newly designed facility, all proposed architectural lighting in the building is designed with LED. Ambient light within the main lobby area will be provided by recessed cylinder downlights, other techniques including wall washing, back lit wall and in-grade uplights are also helping to create visual interests. Pendant/recessed linear and troffers are extensively used in corridors, scene shops, offices, studios and other teaching and support areas. Fixtures within these areas will be controlled by occupancy sensors and bi-level toggle switches. Due to the fact that the entire north face of BUTC is cladded with aluminum curtain wall system, massive daylight will be entering the main lobby and drafting studio areas above. Therefore photosensors will be installed in these areas work along with the programmed daylight zone for energy efficiency. All dimming and scene controls are integrated to Building Automation System (BAS).
Besides proposed theatrical lighting systems, functional house lighting equipment including track-mounted spotlights, pendant cylindrical downlights, and architectural floodlights are also installed in the open ceiling black box theater area. In order to provide enough illumination levels for pre/post-show and intermission activities. Segments of linear strip LEDs are installed into the wood-slots to create vertical light strips to address the volumetric of the space and to create intensive visual experience. Separate control room is located on the second floor behind the black box theatre to program and control other lighting equipment in this space.
Exterior lighting are highly integrated with the landscape design, provided by pole lights, bollards, and linear flush mounted lights. Linear recessed lights that are installed at the amphitheater steps and seating area were to provide visual attraction and way-finding objective. Exterior fixtures are controlled via astronomical time switch control.