22.Mar.2011 Box Office going Solar

Stack is thrilled to report that onsite renewable energy is coming to the Box Office. Later this Spring, Alteris Renewables will be installing a 7.4 kW photovoltaic system (aka solar panels) that will convert the sun’s energy into electricity.

While this will not make the Box Office a net-zero energy building, it is a huge step in that direction. According to developer Peter Gill Case of Truthbox, the system will provide 100% of the electricity needed for general building use (exterior lighting, common area conditioning etc) as well as offsetting a portion of some tenants’ electricity use.

Now that the building has been occupied for 6 months, we finally have real data (in the form of utility bills) that will tell us how much energy the building is actually using – something that has always been a key success measure for the Project Team. Right now, on average each unit is on pace to use ~22-25 kBtu/sf per year. This is an amazing figure and is within about 10% of our best case energy model. We will continue to post updates on how we’re doing energy wise as the utility bills roll in.

Thanks to Alteris for the renderings.

23.Jan.2011 Private Residence – Lincoln, MA

Stack is excited to share these photos from our most recently completed project, a private residence in Lincoln, MA. This project was an interior renovation featuring custom casework and finish carpentry of all stripes – built-ins, cabinets, sliding doors, etc – designed by Architect Brink Thorne of Brinkley Thorne Associates and fabricated / installed by Stack’s carpenters.

Custom interior shutters were installed in multiple locations throughout the interior to increase natural light and the feeling of space.

This picture shows off the new banquet and another set of interior shutters

Stack fabricated the Kitchenette in our shop in Pawtucket.

Fireplace surround and Built-ins

Photo credits: Aaron Usher

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12.Jan.2011 Blizzard

Box Office buried under the 1st Blizzard of 2011

Thanks to Joe Haskett of distill studio for this picture.

10.Jan.2011 ISBU News Publishes Box Office

The Box Office has landed on the front page of ISBU News – the largest publication devoted to construction utilizing Shipping Containers (aka Intermodal Steel Building Units). ISBU News is a branch of the international ISBU Association, a tremendous resource for anyone interested in not only ISBU buildings but also general issues related to Shipping Containers.

To read the full story, click here. No promises, but there may also be a more in-depth article from ISBU coming out within the next few weeks. Stay tuned…

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05.Jan.2011 Box Office – Completed Photos

The Box Office was photographed (and discussed) to death throughout the course of construction. And with good reason. When you’re doing something as unique and innovative as putting together a building with upcycled shipping containers, there is naturally going to be plenty of interest and opportunities to document something so uncommon but visually stimulating.

That being said, the building has been complete for some time now and we are long overdue in publishing photos of the completed product. Let’s start with the exterior. Click the thumbnails to enlarge the pictures.

One of the many interesting aspects of this project is that no two interior spaces are exactly alike. Each one was really its own design opportunity, especially when the needs of the particular tenant were considered. Stack relocated to Box Office #304 in September. We designed our unit to maximize every square foot given our small space but our need to program for future expansion.

Stack's new Office - Box Office #304

Our kitchenette maximizes storage in a small space

Box Office #104 is the largest unit in the project. It is a shared workspace that is home to a number of small firms including the project Owner, Peter Gill Case, as well as the project Architect, Joe Haskett of distill studio. Interior Design credit to Kelly Taylor Interior Design and Truthbox.

The Conference Room is an amenity for the small firms that share the workspace.

Spiral Stair + Shipping Container: don't try this at home.

Photo Credit: Glenn Turner Photography

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03.Jan.2011 RI Revit Users Group Meetup

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a fundamental part of Stack’s project delivery. As such, we are proud to be the founding sponsor of RIRUG – the Rhode Island Revit Users Group.

The next meetup will be on 1.12.10 and all from the local A/E/C community are encouraged to attend. Novices and experts alike are welcome! For more information, visit the RIRUG Meetup page.

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28.Dec.2010 Stack in Green Building and Design Magazine

Stack was recently profiled in Green Building and Design Magazine. The article highlighted Stack’s focus on innovation on our commitment to sustainability. Here’s the rest of the article (click the images to enlarge):

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24.Dec.2010 Haskett-Murphy Residence

Please enjoy these photos of the Haskett-Murphy Residence, a project that Stack completed earlier this year. This single family home on Providence’s east side doesn’t just look great: thanks to its spray foam insulation, new fiberglass windows, and high-efficiency combi boiler, its EnergySTAR certified too (paperwork pending).

Architect: Distill Studio

Photography: Aaron Usher

12.Oct.2010 Weekly Fuel – TRT Edition

by Jay Cox-Chapman, Assistant Project Manager

With the Box Office right next to the train tracks, passing trains help set the rhythm of the day. Fortunately, the exceptional insulation of the units keeps them nice and quiet inside. Yesterday, however, I looked out the window, and saw a real mechanical marvel: a Track-Relaying Train. The train was about 200 yards long, most of which was devoted to storing new ties. A gantry system ran above the cars, depositing ties back to the business-car. The train lifts the rails, munches up the old ties, and deposits fresh ones in their place.

This is the business section of the TRT, which is moving to the right. Note the ties going in and coming out.

The flatbed cars full of ties, as seen from Stack's roof deck.

In other Box Office news, Google maps found our pile of containers. This looks like it was taken sometime in the spring. Interestingly, Street View has not yet updated; it still shows the building that formerly occupied the site.

Google Maps view of the Box Office under construction.

The island of Lindisfarne, off the coast of England, upcycles their old herring boats into sheds. A cool twist on the Viking funeral:

In energy news, Google has invested in a 350-mile-long transmission backbone for wind power in the Atlantic ocean.

And finally, a neat film about crane operators. We have previously featured crane operators in Dubai who chose to live in their crane-cabs because of the time and distance involved to descend each day.

03.Oct.2010 ABWxD at the Box Office

The Box Office hosted the mixer to kick off the 2010 A Better World by Design Conference. About 400 people showed up to enjoy craft beer, socializing with Providence’s design community, and to participate in the Box Office’s grand opening