Northeastern University's new Renaissance Place parking structure in downtown Boston features a design that projects the appearance of a sleek new office building. To achieve this distinctive design in the tight time frame the University required, the designers specified an all precast concrete structure. The structure had to be completed in less than one year so it would be ready for the fall semester. The tight urban site and the need to erect the structure during winter months exacerbated the demanding twelve-month schedule.
The structure, which includes 980 spaces on 10 floors, features a combination of sandblasted, finishes that compliment the surrounding architecture. The use of red sand in the gray concrete mix softens the gray color and provides a pleasing contrast to the red ceramic tile panels along the sidewalk. This is offset at the vehicle entry with brushed aluminum panel bands, which provide a backdrop for the schools torch seal. The remainder of the street elevation consists of plant fabricated tile panels and wall panels featuring a series of reveals outlining light and medium sandblasted sections. Grille covered windows fulfill the intended appearance of an office building's fenestration.
Unistress and the design team provided the Owner with a structure that was aesthetically pleasing and economical. A significant redesign of the street elevation was the combining of separate architectural and structural components into a single product. The curved corner maximized the use of the property while being less intrusive on its existing neighbor.
The result of this coordination and focus on detail is a design that created a dramatic statement on the skyline and is admired by its Owners not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its efficiency of operation and maintenance.
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