Carlisle, MA – DATELINE Ganek Architects, Inc., an award-winning architecture firm with a depth of experience in historical renovation and renewal of historic industrial buildings, announces that they they have received the 2018 AIACM Honor Award for Excellence in Design. The award focuses on buildings anywhere in the world that have been renovated or rehabilitated by an architect based in the AIACM geographic area. It recognizes Ganek Architects for the Abbot Mill Phase 1 project in Westford, Massachusetts, that now houses 130 apartments while preserving and exemplifying the complex’s historic integrity and character.
Beginning with a deteriorating, empty mill complex constructed from 1840 to 1950, the renovation works with the existing structures utilizing many of the buildings’ defining elements including salvaged materials such as wood beams and flooring, exposed masonry, metal fire doors and stair systems. Skylights installed above newly created common spaces illuminate previously dark and hidden areas and features. The project also employs the mill’s canal water system and solar power to generate highly efficient and renewable hydrothermal heating and cooling.
In presenting the award, the AIACM committee commented that the project’s excellence spans several categories including; energy efficiency, integration of the various systems, extensive solar, hydrothermal from canal water, multi-family housing, historic preservation, and sustainability.” Various AIACM committee members also observed “you can see the history, but also the materiality and strength, the warmth of brick and wood, a flood of natural light, spatial volumes and scale, strength of the exposed structure, clean and simple contemporary features, and really impressive for how much it cost.”
“We are particularly honored by this award because the project truly reflects what we are all about as a firm. The design supports the community of Westford, of which the mill has always been an integral part, and it delights the residents who enjoy the distinct character of a historic building married to modernity. It also reflects the vision of the Owner, Christopher Yule of Yule Development, which we are proud to help bring to life in a cost-effective way. And it cares for the environment reusing many materials from the original site. All in all, our team feels a great sense of satisfaction that this project showcases both our values and our skills,” said Barry Ganek AIA LEED AP, Principal of Ganek Architects.
For more information about Ganek Architects, Inc, please visit www.ganekarchitects.com or call 978.371.9001
About Ganek Architects, Inc. Ganek Architects, Inc designs to the goals and needs of our partner developers. We always remain conscious of and responsive to their pro forma and timelines. We believe that the bottom line is a design element, not a constraint. We apply this philosophy to historic, commercial, residential, municipal and industrial projects. Ganek Architects employs state of the art technology including Building Information Modeling (BIM), LEED expertise and advanced CAD to deliver value and precision to all projects.