High-Profile: March 2026 | Page 25

March 2026 High-Profile Focus: Schools and Institutions
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Fitzemeyer & Tocci Supports Wentworth’ s Recreation Center and Gym Renovations

By Abdullah Khaliqi
throughout and some tweaks requested by the Wentworth Athletics Department, including relocating a gym unit to allow for better video coverage of events in the gym.
In an era where environmental consciousness and sustainability are at the forefront of global concerns, the collaboration between educational institutions and their trusted experts stands as a roadmap of progress. One such partnership has blossomed between Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates, Inc.( F & T) and Wentworth Institute of Technology( WIT). This collaboration not only underscores the Boston area’ s commitment to reducing carbon footprints but also illustrates the pivotal role of having an engineering firm that understands long term goals and helps foster sustainable practices within academic settings.
Phase 1 Renovation Understanding that cooling would increase any electrical load, F & T initially studied the existing building and potential new equipment selections and quickly determined the original service to building would be insufficient. An electrical service upgrade and chilled water( CW) connections to the Campus Utility Plant( CUP) were the initial aspects that were intended to support the future phases.
Phase 2 Renovation
Wentworth’ s campus as seen from the Nelson Recreation Center
F & T worked with WIT to ensure new equipment not only met industry ventilation standards but was held to higher Wentworth standards for ventilation. New equipment also leveraged the new electrical service capacity to disconnect the building from campus steam produced at the CUP. The building was reopened with cooling throughout and expanded electrical capacity.
Phase 3 Renovation
Expanded building usage during summer months meant larger Life Safety considerations for the building. Phase 3 took the renovations further by including full sprinkler coverage for the building, architectural improvements
Wentworth Institute of Technology’ s Tansey Gym
WIT’ s ongoing relationship with F & T as the owner’ s engineer reflects a collaborative approach to sustainability and infrastructure planning aligned with campus needs. As space utilization evolves to make better use of existing systems, thoughtful engineering support plays a steady role in guiding practical improvements and supporting the longterm functionality of campus facilities for future generations.
Abdullah Khaliqi, PE, CPQ is principal and academic market leader at Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates, Inc.

Josiah Quincy Elementary School in Boston Renovates Building Enclosure

Josiah Quincy Elementary School
Boston – Gale Associates, Inc. announced the completion of the comprehensive building enclosure renovation of the Josiah Quincy Elementary School, which occupies a full block in Boston’ s Chinatown.
Gale was selected by the Boston Public Facilities Department as the lead design consultant to evaluate the building enclosure and develop a detailed plan and construction budget for renovation. Gale’ s Building Enclosure Consulting Group, supported by the firm’ s in-house structural and civil engineers, designed and managed the multi-phase construction project to modernize the school’ s aging enclosure systems and assemblies and
extend their service life. Based on Gale’ s building enclosure evaluation, the first phase of this multi-year project included the design and replacement of the roofs and plaza systems, installation of new windows and doors, facade repairs, and new pedestrian coatings.
Designed by The Architects Collaborative in 1974, the Josiah Quincy Elementary School is built of poured concrete and split-face concrete masonry unit( CMU) veneer, with precast and cast-in-place concrete elements accented by bright yellow pipe rails and decorative porcelain enamel panels featuring children’ s artwork across the upper facade and complemented by orangepainted
window and door assemblies. The school’ s open-plan layout is structured around the media center, with multiple outdoor plaza roof areas— terraced on different levels— used by both students and the surrounding community.
Phase 1 of construction began in 2021 with removal of the existing roof. Gale designed a new roof system featuring a multi-ply roof membrane and a pedestal system supporting concrete, rubber, and turf pavers. In 2022, Gale designed the replacement of existing windows and doors and completed facade repairs. Several new plaza color schemes were developed to enhance outdoor learning spaces and play areas. The roof plaza also includes numerous cast-in-place concrete planters that required waterproofing to complete the building enclosure. Construction was completed in summer 2025, in time for the new school year.
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