By USGBC Communications
Often overlooked, the design of a building can make a significant impact on health, accessibility and safety. Today, many architects, designers, planners, engineers and construction teams are looking to specific improvements to build or rennovate in ways that improve both indoor and outdoor environments of buildings.
The Northern Essex Community College (NECC) community recently celebrated the newly renovated $18 million, 80,000 SF Spurk Building, one of the most widely used academic buildings on the college’s Haverhill campus. RDK Engineers, an NV5 Company, worked alongside the project architect, DiMella Shaffer Associates, providing MEP/FP engineering design services for transforming and renovating the classroom building which plays a critical role in the success of NECC students.
Building improvements included:
-
Accessibility Upgrades: Accessibility changes included new and renovated entrance ramps, proper door clearance, extension of the accessible parking lot toward the building, and new chairs, wheelchair spots, and companion seats.
-
Safety Advances: Life safety changes will include additional fire protection, a sprinkler room, and stairwell improvements including the enclosure of the central stairwell.
Congratulations to USGBC MA Chapter Sponsor RDK Engineers and the entire project team on the completion of the Spurk Building renovation! These upgrades will contribute to an enhanced learning environment for the entire NECC community.
Global Head of Sustainability, Superior Essex
Sustainability Director, Steven Winter Associates
PE | Associate, LeMessurier
Vice President, AEW’s Architecture & Engineering group
Interior Designer, Jacobs, Boston
Senior Vice President, Market Transformation and Development U.S. Green Building Council
AIA LEED AP BD+C | Senior Associate, Gensler Boston 
LEED Fellow, WELL AP | Founder and Principal, Ecoworks Studio
AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP
LEED AP BD+C | Environmental Sustainability Manager, Armstrong World Industries
Assistant Professor of Exposure Science | Director of the Healthy Buildings program
Managing Director, Harvard University Office for Sustainability
Principal & Director of Certifications and Consulting, Epsten Group, Inc.
Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, Jamestown
Director of Sustainability Programs, DASNY | LEED AP BD+C
Associate Principal, BuroHappold Engineering
Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Kilroy Realty Corporation
Co-Founder, Facilitator at The Laurentia Project | LEED AP BD+C, LFA
Vice President of Sustainable Development, Shaw
Founder and President, Board of the Healthy Building Network
Building Technology Director, Kingspan North America
LEED® AP ID+C, BD+C, USGBC Faculty, WELL® AP, WELL Faculty and Fitwel Ambassador
Workplace Strategy Expert and Researcher, EYP
Principal, Integrated Ecostrategy
Senior Vice President, International WELL Building Institute
Principal, Bruner/Cott
Architect, Associate, and Sustainability Design Leader, Stantec Architecture and Engineering
FAIA, LEED Fellow, Long Green Specs
Products & Materials Specialist, BuildingGreen
Director of Acquisitions and Development
Director of Restorative Enterprise, Interface
Sustainability Manager, Consigli Construction Company