Boston, MA
Northeastern University, Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex
Scope/Solutions
To elevate their scientific research efforts, Northeastern University undertook constructing a new 234,000 sq ft Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex. Office, classroom, and laboratory space surround a six-story atrium to promote collaboration and engagement. SGH provided building enclosure commissioning services for this complex structure featuring a double-layered facade with integrated catwalks and sunshades outboard of the unitized curtain wall.
SGH joined the project team during the construction documents phase to help develop a building enclosure commissioning plan and continued working on the project to assist with construction-phase services. Highlights of our work include the following:
- Preparing a commissioning plan and specifications to support the owner’s requirements and design basis
- Reviewing the enclosure design at critical phases, participating in design-assist meetings, and providing recommendations to improve its performance
- Reviewing relevant shop drawings, including those outlining plans for the curtain wall performance mockup
- Traveling to the curtain wall fabricator’s facility in The Netherlands to observe the construction processes and mockup performance testing
- Providing construction phase services, including scheduling commissioning activities with the contractor; observing ongoing building enclosure construction to compare with the project requirements; helping the contractor resolve field conditions; and testing the as-built, unitized curtain wall assemblies to compare their performance with the design intent
Project Summary
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Building Enclosures
Markets
Education
Client(s)
Northeastern University
Specialized Capabilities
Commissioning | Facades & Glazing
Key team members


Additional Projects
Northeast
University of Massachusetts, Isenberg School of Management
With its new addition, the Isenberg School of Management consolidates departments and encourages collaboration. SGH consulted on the building enclosure design and performed a structural peer review for the project.
Northeast
Three-dimensionally Printed Glass Testing
In 2017, SGH collaborated with the MIT Media Lab on an exhibit for Milan Design Week. Looking to advance their research with a new geometry, MIT retained SGH to perform additional testing on 3D-printed glass samples in 2024.