This Booklet - Boston Bar Association

As a company involved
in the transmission and
distribution of energy,
we must be a part of
the solution to the global
issue of climate change

a building
of the future

This facility is a model of efficiency and sustainability—one
of only a few facilities nationwide to earn LEED ® Platinum
certifications for both Commercial Interiors and Core & Shell.
This project reflects National Grid’s leadership role in tackling
climate change and commitment to innovation in energy
efficiency and resource preservation.
today
By educating through example, we hope to empower
individuals to take action in their own lives, spreading
principles of energy efficiency and exemplary
environmental practices to the larger community.

The following pages illuminate the design process and key technologies
behind the overall goals of the New England Main Office:

integrated design
energy efficiency
lighting design
daylight & views
indoor air quality
material choices
water conservation
sustainable operations

an integrated
design process
A holistic approach to efficiency
and conservation demanded a
multifaceted team working
in close coordination.
Workshops and
collaboration with over
24 professional
disciplines helped
define issues,
establish goals,
and develop
solutions.
energy engineers
construction manager
structural engineer
audio visual consultant
landscape architect
furniture dealer
design
furniture manufacturers
audio visual consultant
analyze
interior architect
sustainable
solutions
design
base building architect
analyze
product manufacturers
electrical engineer
plumbing engineer
developer
mechanical engineer
acoustical consultant
civil engineer
Process diagram: ideas were gathered
from the spectrum of professions, and
cycled through a non-linear process of
testing and refinement
subcontractors
solar design consultant
lighting designer
analyze
design
sustainability consultants
environmental graphic designer
specification services
telecommunications consultant
project manager
national grid employees

exterior shading
devices limit solar
heat gain

Rooftop photovoltaic panels supply 50% of the building’s lighting energy needs
energy
efficiency
A synergy of passive and active
systems lower overall energy demands while
renewable energy reduces reliance on
fossil fuels. The dualistic approach employed
in this facility reflects National Grid’s global
commitment to efficiency and carbon
footprint reduction.

1 exterior shading devices
limit solar heat gain
2 rooftop photovoltaic panels
3 high-efficiency windows
4 advanced lighting design
5 high-efficiency heating, ventilating
and air conditioning equipment
6 white roof reflects infrared radiation
7 energy-star rated equipment
other features, not pictured:
95% thermally efficient
condensing boiler
energy
efficiency

summer
sunlight
photovoltaic panels
2
high-efficiency HVAC
5
exterior
shading device
1
highly reflective
white roof
6
spring \ fall
sunlight
4
winter
sunlight
3
7
The New England Main Office is 21% more
energy efficient than required by the Massachusetts
state code for commercial office buildings.

The combination of task and ambient
lighting provides illumination just where it is
needed, versus the uniform distribution of light
found in conventional office buildings. The result is
a comfortable, ever-changing, light-filled
space that is responsive to the work at hand.
advanced
lighting design
Initial exploration of task ambient lighting—the designers sought
innovative yet uncomplicated solutions

2 daylight
sensor
occupancy
sensor
3
3
occupancy
sensor
1
super T-8
fluorescent lamps
LED task light
with occupancy
sensor
5
LED under-cabinet
lighting with
occupancy sensor
4

1 high-performance ballasts and
fixtures provide a 31% improvement
over generic T8 lamps
2 daylight dimming light fixtures located
within 20 feet of windows
3 occupancy sensors in offices,
conference rooms, restrooms, and
copy centers
4 LED under-cabinet lighting with
occupancy sensors
5 LED task lights with individual
occupancy sensors
For about the
same cost as
conventional lighting,
National Grid’s advanced
strategies result in a lighting
power density (excluding
task lights) of .54 watts/sq.
foot, a level 46% below
energy code minimums.
advanced
lighting design

angled ceiling tiles
bounce light further into
the office
Guided by principles of biophilia – the connection to
nature – the space’s design provides 98% of
employees with direct views to the outside.

daylight and views
Clear visual connections between indoor and
outdoor spaces are a key component of a comfortable,
healthy & productive workspace. At the New England Main
Office, careful studies of sightlines, use of low partitions, and
interior glazing ensure consistent exterior views for all.

1 42” low partitions allow views
across entire office
daylight
and views
2 48% glazing allows daylight deep into
the space
3 interior glazing enables interior office
views to outside
4 skylights illuminate stairwells
5 reflective & textured ceiling bounces
daylight further into the office
6 light colored furniture and finishes
7 semi-transparent interior shades
8 exterior shading reduces glare

skylight
4
8
daylight
5
reflective and textured
ceiling surfaces
7
semi-transparent
interior shades
3 interior glazing
all desks are oriented
to face outside
2
light colored
furniture
6
42” partition
1
Skylights make the
stairwells more inviting

With their potentially high concentration
of chemicals, copy centers and janitor
closets are sealed and specially
ventilated.

The building was flushed
with 100% outside air prior to
occupancy, removing dust,
odors, and any remaining
volatile organic compounds
indoor air quality
Indoor air quality impacts the well-being of all building
occupants. Combining materials that are non-toxic and
low in volatile organic compounds with superior
ventilation systems, National Grid and the design
team created an indoor environment that started out—and
continues to be in its day-to-day operations—safe, healthy
and comfortable.
With their potentially high
concentration of chemicals, copy
centers and janitor closets are sealed
and specially ventilated

1 high quality mechanical air
filtration system
indoor
air quality
2 composite wood products have no
added urea formaldehyde
3 carpets are certified Carpet & Rug
Institute Green Label Plus
4 systems furniture and desk seating
are GREENGUARD certified
5 carbon dioxide sensors monitor
air quality
other features, not pictured:
adhesives, sealants, paints,
& coatings are low in, or lack, VOC’s
janitor closets and copy rooms are
sealed and ventilated
walk-off mats at all building entries
capture dirt
a green cleaning program
avoids products that contain
harmful ingredients
ducts protected from dust and
dirt during construction
all systems furniture and
desk seating are
GREENGUARD certified

outside air
relief air
a b c
d
1
a outside & return air dampers
b MERV 13 filter
c coil
d chemical free H2O treatment
evaporative condensing unit
5 CO2 sensor
return air
5
CO2 sensor
fresh air
CO2 sensor
5
green guard
4
2
no added urea
formaldehyde
CRI green label plus
3

Interior materials and furnishings feature 26%
recycled content and 68% of the wood products
are sourced from sustainable forests. 23% of the
2
materials are sourced within 500 miles of the site...

material
choices
3
1
Building and construction accounts for
40% of all raw materials used in the
United States. Conscious of this impact,
National Grid rigorously selected materials
with the highest degree of sustainability,
including recycled content and local sourcing.
Passing this initial criteria, the material palette
was further refined to create a rich, visually
stimulating environment.
1 workstation panel fabrics: 100%
post-consumer recycled content
2 carpet: 50% pre-consumer
recycled content
3 office chairs: 94% recyclable,
Cradle to Cradle Silver certified

5
3
6
7
1
2

material
choices
4
interior graphics
are imaged on recycled
aluminum panels
1 countertops: 28% recycled acrylic with natural
river stones
2 floors: bamboo from renewable forests
3 maple veneer panels: sourced from renewable
forests; MDF core is 100% pre-consumer recycled
wood; both veneer and core are locally sourced
4 window shades: 100% pvc-free material
5 ceiling tiles: 77% pre-consumer recycled aluminum,
manufactured within 500 miles of the project
6 enclosed office and conference room storefront
system: 77% pre-consumer recycled aluminum
7 glass tiles on cafe backsplashes:
38% post-consumer recycled glass
other features, not pictured:
linoleum flooring: 35% pre-consumer recycled and 36%
rapidly renewable content
rubber flooring: contains cork, a rapidly renewable
material
corner guards: manufactured within 500 miles of the
project, 77% pre-consumer recycled content

Drinking-quality water is surprisingly energy
intensive and municipal supply capacities are
increasingly strained. The New England Main
Office saves more than 600,000
gallons per year through a combination of
conservation features and an advanced rainwater
reuse system used for flushing toilets. In addition,
landscape strategies for storm water serve to
replenish the nearby aquifers
and waterways.
water conservation
Bioretention swales, a wet basin,
deep sump hooded catch basins, and
proprietary separators treat storm water
and provide infiltration, replenishing the
Cambridge Reservoir

The
average
American
uses 100
gallons of
water per day.

condensate water
collection
5 5
recycled storm water system
4
3
automatic-sensing
reduced flow faucet
2
waterless
urinal
dual flush toilet using
harvested water
1
6
underground water tank

1 dual flush toilets
2 waterless urinals
3 automatic-sensing and reduced flow
lavatory faucets
4 reduced-flow shower heads
5 grey water system collects rain &
condensate for toilet flushing
6 underground water tank with filtration
and disinfection
Water conservation at
Reservoir Woods saves
over 2.4 million
gallons of
potable water
per year, a 66%
improvement vs. state
code allowances.
water
conservation

sustainability did not end
at construction...
it was just the beginning

sustainable operations
single office
medium conference room

The unique modular office system reduced square
footage per person by over 50%, conserving
construction materials, saving money and reducing overall
environmental impact. The system provides flexibility, allowing
National Grid to change and evolve over decades
without the need for significant renovation.
C
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single office
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C
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C
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C
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A comparable building using conventional office area
standards would consume an additional 500,000 square feet...
the equivalent of adding five stories to this
three story building.

The third floor coffee shop
provides an informal break area

“We are taking
a leadership role in
tackling climate change,
and Reservoir Woods
is a great example
of our serious intent to
reduce National Grid’s
carbon footprint.”
Steve Holliday CEO

LEED ®
certification
LEED ® CI Platinum
LEED ® CS Platinum
The New England Main Office has achieved the impressive
distinction of USGBC LEED ® Platinum certifications for two
categories: Commercial Interiors (CI), and Core & Shell
(CS). More rare is the achievement of CI and CS certification
for a single tenant. The integrated design approach and
contributions by all team members have created a safe,
healthy, and beautiful work environment that educates and
inspires everyone to consider the environmental impact of
our past, present and future activities.

The New England Main Office at Reservoir Woods
Waltham, Massachusetts
Base Building Architect: ADD Inc
Landlord/Developer: Davis Marcus Partners
Project Manager: Jones Lang LaSalle
Interior Architecture, Graphic Design, LEED Design Services: Sasaki Associates
Construction Manager: John Moriarity & Associates
MEP/FP Engineering Services and LEED Design Services: AHA Consulting Engineers
Lighting Designer: Atelier Ten
Acoustical Consultant: Cavanaugh Tocci
Specification Services: Kalin Associates
Audio Visual Consultant: ACT Associates
Telecommunications Consultant: CCR Pyramid
Solar Design Consultant: Solar Design Associates
Photography: Robert Benson, Richard Mandlekorn, DaiMin Cheng, Jones Lang LaSalle, Jon Li, National Grid
Cover: Chipboard, 100% recycled content, debossed and printed with vegetable-based inks
Binding: Recyclable aluminum screwposts, non-glued binding. Brochure may be separated
into components for recycling
Paper: 100% post-consumer recycled content
Inks: Vegetable-based