Girard at 600 Harrison Avenue

SGH designed the structure, including the six-level superstructure constructed with steel stud bearing walls supporting concrete slabs on metal deck and the two-story, below-grade, reinforced concrete parking structure. Highlights of our structural design include the following:

• Collaborated with the geotechnical engineer and evaluated numerous foundation options for suitability in the high water table

• Designed a deep pile foundation system with precast, prestressed concrete piles and helped develop construction sequencing to prevent the building from floating when the building is lightly occupied and from settling in Boston’s soft clay when fully occupied

• Designed and detailed an at-grade concrete transfer slab without beams to support loads from the residential/retail superstructure that do not align with vertical supports in the parking garage

• Evaluated shored and unshored options for the slabs at residential levels

• Designed steel framing at the perimeter to accommodate variations in the building geometry and the large open retail space

• Developed efficient solutions for residential and retail-level canopies, multi-story cantilevers, and set-backs

SGH also consulted on the building enclosure design. Highlights of our work include the following:

• Performed thermal modeling to optimize insulation thickness and recommend air, vapor, and water barrier locations

• Helped select the various enclosure systems and develop details for integrating them