A headquarters joined to its context

Carpenter’s Union

The New England Regional Council of Carpenters (NERCC) has a long history of setting standards—whether that involves quality, safety, or fair wages. As part of this project, they were looking to build a new headquarters in Boston that would house their operations as well as the operations of the Apprentice Training center.

The building had two planning requirements: a bold, dynamic presence towards the highway and a scaled-down façade towards an adjacent residential neighborhood. On the residential side, we designed a transparent pavilion that allows people on the street to see inside and get a look at the work. The transparency helps to welcome the public and site the building as part of the neighborhood.

The highway elevation is more dynamic, incorporating a media wall with the metal panel façade. This purposeful blend of modern architecture and media, including the traditional craftsmanship of the carpenters, provides NERCC with a dynamic new face for their headquarters.