South Burlington, VT – On May 13, a ribbon-cutting was held for global industrial computer hardware manufacturer OnLogic’s new 140,000sf global headquarters in South Burlington’s Technology Park.
Construction manager ReArch Company worked with architect Wiemann Lamphere Architects and engineer VHB on the $54 million project which includes numerous conference rooms, meeting spaces, and lounges; a full-service cafe; warehouse; production line; and offices. The layout is designed to facilitate teamwork and innovation among the company’s over 150 Vermont-based professionals, and encourage fluid movement and interaction throughout the building.
The project was delivered early despite some post-Covid delays on materials and equipment. Chris Huston, VP of preconstruction at ReArch Company, said, “The ultimate benefit of the construction management delivery method lies in the ability to impact change at a time when risks and costs can be most efficiently mitigated. This all starts in preconstruction. Working closely with the owners and A/E partners, the ReArch preconstruction team efficiently provided real time comments on design change pricing and constructability, while also providing design assistance to analyze initial costs and life cycle cost for the building systems.”
Lobby / Photo courtesy of Stina Booth
Development of the new space was focused on sustainability, energy efficiency and community connectivity. The project includes a 500kW roof-mounted solar array. The system covers a significant portion of the HVAC load and offsets the carbon footprint equivalent to 60 homes annually. Representatives say the 200-ton geothermal heating and cooling system is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 1,574,308 pounds per year, and the use of foam glass gravel sub-slab insulation from Glavel Inc. is designed to deliver an 87% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional insulation methods. The development also includes 24 electric vehicle charging stations integrated into the grounds.
One major contributor to the facility’s overall energy efficiency is the building shell airtightness. David Roy, president of Wiemann Lamphere Architects, said, “Close attention to exterior detailing and careful workmanship in the construction sequence yielded a building shell with an extraordinary level of airtightness: only 0.05 cubic feet per minute per square foot of building shell at pressure difference of 75 pascals across all boundaries, including the building slab. While this feature is not evident in the building’s appearance, air tightness will yield lower energy consumption, greater occupant comfort and a more durable building for years to come.”
Cafe / Photo courtesy of Stina Booth
Customized automation software and sensors integrate space use with lighting and temperature control throughout the building. To ensure both functionality of the interior space and environmental responsibility, Roy said, “Daylight harvesting lighting controls and automated shades allow for employee comfort while reducing lighting power density and energy consumption.”
In managing the logistics and coordination for a project of this scale, particularly in integrating the HVAC and geothermal systems, Hunter Gomez, senior project manager at ReArch Company, said, “The key to success was early and often communication, which started internally between our preconstruction and operations teams, as well as with our A/E partners, and carried all the way through construction and closeout. It was essential that the PM staff manage for risks that were 2-4 months (or longer) in the future, and the site staff was to plan out the details and sequencing for the next 1-4 weeks and manage the communications leading to the specific day to day implementation of the details. This was critical in all aspects of hitting our high-performance targets with the sophisticated system.”
Completed in December 2023, OnLogic’s new facility is expected to accommodate the company’s projected growth for the next decade.
