Vitro glazing solutions transform Harvard's Gund Hall with major energy and comfort improvements. June 3, 2026 Harvard University's Graduate School of Design has completed a significant façade modernization of Gund Hall, leveraging advanced glazing technologies from Vitro Architectural Glass to dramatically improve thermal performance, occupant comfort, and daylight quality while preserving the building's iconic architectural identity. Originally designed in 1972, the concrete modernist landmark is known for its stepped studio terraces, expansive curtain walls, and clerestory glazing, but decades of operation exposed challenges related to air infiltration, water penetration, glare, and energy efficiency. The renovation team, led by Bruner / Cott Architects in collaboration with Lam Partners, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, A&A Window Products, and Shawmut Design & Construction, developed façade-specific glazing strategies tailored to the building's varying solar exposures. Rather than applying a uniform solution, performance targets were established for each elevation, balancing visible light transmittance, solar heat gain control, and visual clarity. A cornerstone of the project was the implementation of Vitro's VacuMax(TM) Vacuum Insulating Glass (VIG) on the north and south elevations. To meet Massachusetts stretch energy code requirements demanding a façade U-value of 0.25, the design team sought an alternative to bulky triple glazing that would have altered the building's original appearance. The resulting hybrid VIG assembly delivered an overall system U-value of 0.19, while achieving an exceptional center-of-glass U-value of 0.06, approximately four times the thermal performance of conventional double glazing. The south elevation incorporates Solarban(R) R100 glass, Solargray(R) glass, Acuity(R) low-iron glass, warm-edge spacers, and argon-filled insulating units to reduce glare while maintaining accurate color rendering and achieving an interior solar heat gain coefficient of 0.21. On the north and east façades, Solarban(R) 90 Acuity(R) glass was selected to replicate the clarity of the original plate glass while minimizing unwanted color shifts and reducing solar heat gain. Across 15,475 square feet of newly glazed area replacing 1,617 original units, the upgraded enclosure is projected to reduce building energy use intensity by 22.2% and utility costs by 19.1%, while significantly enhancing daylight autonomy and studio comfort throughout Gund Hall. Published June 03, 2026 June 3, 2026

Restoring the historic details at The First Church of Christ, Scientist. Principal Regan Shields Ives shares her experience on the renovation of the iconic Boston church. May 29, 2026 The First Church of Christ, Scientist project spanned over eight phases in the course of eight years. The Mother Church sits at the center of the Christian Science Center complex in the heart of Boston. The primary goal of the project was the long term preservation of the mother church to address ongoing systemic leaks at the building's dome, semi-domes, roofs, balustrades, and facades, and the restoration of the historic buildings appearance both inside and out, while limiting future capital maintenance. Priorities at the interiors included the introduction of modern electrical and life safety systems, the integration of accessibility, and the remediation of the church's original historic finishes. Finegold Alexander Architects, Inc. worked very closely with Simpson, Gunderson Hager as the building's envelope and structural engineer for the restoration of the exterior of the building, while Finegold Alexander focused on the interior restoration work. Finegold Alexander Architects, Inc. also partnered with Shawmut Design and Construction, who served as a construction manager tasked with implementing the preservation work to restore the building to its original state, while leaving behind no trace of the invasive work that was completed. Being involved with projects like this allows for some really unique experiences, and I'll never forget what it felt like to climb up hundreds of feet of scaffolding to press my palm against the interior face of the dome of the Christian Science Church. Location. 77 North Washington Street | Boston MA | 02114

Shawmut Design and Construction, a $2.3 billion national construction management firm, is expanding into South Florida's public sector with the appointment of Ruben Bravo as project executive. Alongside Shawmut's head of Florida Alexis Leal, Bravo will lead the firm's growth across government and municipal projects, focusing on aviation, seaport and transportation work. The move builds on Shawmut's 25-year presence in South Florida and supports the firm's strategy to reach $5 billion in revenue. Bravo brings 30 years of industry experience, having held leadership roles at several ENR-ranked construction firms on major public-private partnerships and design-build projects. Shawmut's expansion is backed by an experienced team with decades of work on projects including Miami International Airport, PortMiami and various county transportation initiatives.