BOSTON–Corderman & Company recently completed the renovation of the Fort Point Room, a process which required the extraction of a massive, iconic green staircase that previously defined the Boston Society of Architecture’s foyer at 290 Congress Street in Boston.
The reimagined Fort Point Room now promotes and enhances the community at Atlantic Wharf and the surrounding neighborhood, with an emphasis on use by non-profits.
City-goers striding past the large windows at Atlantic Wharf may find themselves gazing upon an art class, a networking event or meeting, a yoga class, movie showing, or an array of other entertaining events and activities hosted within the downtown Boston space. With a mission to enhance the sense of community in the area, what was once part-restaurant-part-entrance to the Boston Society of Architecture (BSA) has been transformed into a vivacious public space: the Fort Point Room.
Originally a conference room tucked away on the second floor, this reimagined Fort Point Room exudes an unavoidable allure and a refined focus on engaging the public, encouraging new uses for the space and emphasizing its availability for public use, most notably for non-profits. Corderman & Company, a Boston based construction management firm, was particularly excited about the prospect of working alongside Boston Properties, Avid Engineers, Visnick & Caulfield, and a selection of skilled trade partners on this project.
The construction process of the Fort Point Room was just that: a process. The demolition of the existing space was a particularly challenging endeavor. The operation required the meticulous and technical removal of 13 tons of ¾ inch thick steel plates that comprised the iconic, massive green staircase that originally filled the room, connecting the first and second floors of the BSA’s office. Extensive planning and coordination were required to ensure safety procedures were implemented and strictly enforced during the stair removal process.
Though the stairs were cut into smaller, more manageable pieces, moving thousands of pounds of steel within the building nevertheless generated an element of stress and required an acute degree of precision to successfully complete. Dust, noise, and safety hazards were mitigated by completing much of the work overnight.
The team fastidiously sectioned off the construction area from adjacent public spaces, maintaining proper air ventilation while also inhibiting fumes or dust from escaping the confined work zone. Corderman Carpentry, a division of Corderman & Company, was essential in these efforts. Contributing their skill and attention to detail, Corderman Carpentry supported the project team and eventually rebuilt necessary soffits in the BSA space after the stair removal was complete. Likewise, Corderman & Company Director of Field Operations, David MacNeil, offered his knowledge, guidance, as well as extensive coordination skills to aid in this task.
The design team integrated ceiling cut outs and unique installations into the new Fort Point Room that mimic the shape of the stairs, alluding to the historic, monumental steel structure once there. The BSA and Jkhoory Design Studio ensured the stairs were cut up in such a way that they could be reused. They engaged John Dickey, a local furniture maker who specializes in salvaged materials, to create benches out of the scrapped steel, which would later be donated to the Boston Public Health Commission shelter in Roxbury. The remaining material was also utilized to create mementos in the form of benches, tables, and coasters; the proceeds from which would go towards the BSA Foundation.
On another note, coordinating the movement and work of 24 trade partners in and out of a 3,500 SF space required significant consideration, communication, and planning. Corderman & Company project team members Kevin Hegarty (Senior Project Manager), Paul Ciampa (Superintendent), and Jordan Koliss (Assistant Project Manager) worked diligently to uphold an efficient project schedule, orchestrating the seamless movement of project teams and trade partners.
Furthermore, Antonio Alcantar (Corderman Laborer) was integral in maintaining a safe and impeccably clean work environment, ensuring trade partners could move freely about the space, void of any hazards or hindrances to their work. His enthusiastic personality also supported a notably positive relationship between the Corderman team and Atlantic Wharf building personnel, further aiding in a communicative and comfortable environment and an uncompromised workflow amongst everyone.
Warm lights, creative wall coverings, and colorful ceiling elements breathe life into the new Fort Point Room, contributing to an inviting atmosphere. A catering kitchen resides steps away from the main room, allowing the opportunity to enhance events with food and drinks handily prepared nearby. The central location within the city supports the cultivation of community and offers a gathering space for an assortment of purposes and needs. Moveable partitions allow for flexible configurations and an array of uses in the room. The integration of modern technological features allows for convenient AV capabilities for users.
The Fort Point Room offers the public a space to meet, collaborate, and learn, ultimately building community through building the space. Corderman & Company is grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute their services to support this mission and to have been part of this moment in history.
