Adaptation + Preservation
Workshop
Peter Cheever, PE
President
LeMessurier
Todd Dundon, AIA
Principal
Gensler
Adam Blanchard
Principal
LeMessurier
Alysha Dohallow
Associate
Gensler
Necco Court, Boston Massachusetts was home to a 20th century manufacturing giant, New England Confectionery Company (NECCO). By the keeping and combining of two buildings into one, Necco Court is now becoming home to a 21st century giant, General Electric. Maintaining existing buildings for reuse is the pinnacle of sustainable design in terms of the initial carbon footprint of a project, but the challenge remained: how to reuse two brick warehouse buildings for an interactive, inviting and inventive hub for GE. By implementing a voluntary seismic upgrade, the two buildings are now linked, allowing for extensive new fenestration. The project reclaimed extensive existing material: bricks for repair elsewhere, timber columns, beams and floor planks for reuse. By repurposing and reclaiming materials and by a strategic design decision to merge the two original buildings, the new GE Headquarters has leveraged the project site for a vibrant and sustainable headquarters.