AB&W Building, Boston
Retrofit Team
Architect: Elton + Hampton Architects, Roxbury, Mass.
Roofing contractor: Lancaster Enterprises, Dedham, Mass., (617) 719-4287
General contractor: Crosswinds Enterprises, Roxbury
Owner/developer: Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corp., Dorchester, Mass.
Materials
More than 6,000 square feet of 2.5-inch corrugated, 26-gauge metal roof and wall panels in an MS colorfast45 finish with a vibrant Patriot red color adorn the front and rear façade of the building.
The panels provide the original front façade with a distinct band of color while maintaining its historic appearance. On the rear residential façade, the panels’ clean lines provide a sleek contemporary look. the bright pops of the Patriot red color bring an interesting contrast to the soft earth tones on the rest of the structure.
Metal was an ideal choice for the AB&W Building because of its durability and sustainability. Panels require very little maintenance for co-op owners and have a long life span that will tolerate New England weather. Metal panels are also 100 percent recyclable and contain a high percentage of recycled material. The chosen panels also are listed with ENERGY STAR, reducing solar heat gain and consequently lowering energy expenses.
Corrugated metal wall and roof panels’ manufacturer: Metal Sales
TPO membrane manufacturer: Firestone Building Products
- 0.060-inch-thick ultraPly in white
The Retrofit
The former auto showroom and candy-factory site was redeveloped as a mixed-use building with retail and housing units. It is located one block from the new Four corners commuter rail station and consists of 3,300 square feet of commercial space for three retail tenants and 24 affordable rental cooperative housing units. The historic 1920s brick façade was preserved for the retail storefront.
“This was a key transit-oriented development project that preserved the existing façade for street-level retail space,” says P. Nicholas Elton, project architect for Elton + Hampton Architects. “The corrugated panels harmonize with the building’s historic façade while providing architectural edginess.”