Gilbane Teams with Fraunhofer to Build Center for Sustainable Energy Systems in Boston

BOSTON, Mass. — The new Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems, with construction managed by Gilbane Building Company, will be at the leading edge of advanced energy technologies and efficiency, using the latest in sustainable building systems and providing real-time performance data in a living laboratory setting. This deep energy retrofit will transform the historic, 100-year-old building in Boston into a building technology showcase for clean energy technologies and research.

The center will serve as the Fraunhofer’s new headquarters, housing advanced research labs and staff. In addition to pre-construction and construction management services for the renovation of the building’s core and shell, Gilbane will provide Fraunhofer with specialized knowledge and expertise related to the construction of energy-efficient buildings.

“We”re proud to play a role in helping accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient building technologies in Boston and throughout the country,” said Ryan Hutchins, Gilbane senior vice president and regional manager. “The facility will not only serve as a model for clean energy technologies, but also provide real-time data and results to encourage organizations to adopt these cutting-edge practices in their own facilities.”

Fraunhofer is also using $2.7 million in energy-efficient building products donated by nearly 40 companies, ranging from building material manufacturing giants like Dow Corning Corp. to Massachusetts start-up companies. CSE researchers will evaluate the reliability and effectiveness of the technologies incorporated into the building, helping technology developers prove out products with building-integrated and other applied research.

The facility is being designed by DiMella Shaffer with BR+A as engineers. Renovations will begin in July and are scheduled to be complete by the end of the year. The center will target LEED Platinum.