Cambridge, MA
Education First
Scope/Solutions
Once the site of an old rail yard and industrial buildings, the NorthPoint redevelopment now houses modern residential and office towers and the associated amenities. The ten-story Education First (EF) building is a focal point of the neighborhood with its modern facade and striking glass waterfall. SGH consulted on the building enclosure design for the waterfall feature.
The glass waterfall is a triangulated network of glass facets that cascade down from the building roof. Highlights of our work on the waterfall include the following:
- Reviewed fabrication drawings and curtain wall calculations prepared by others
- Provided recommendations to improve the structural performance and watertightness
- Conducted site visits to observe as-built construction for comparison with the design intent
- Observed water testing of installed components for comparison with performance expectations
Project Summary
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Building Enclosures
Markets
Commercial
Client(s)
EF Education First LTD. | Redgate, LLC
Specialized Capabilities
Facades & Glazing
Key team members
Peter Babaian
Managing Principal, Building Technology, Chicago
Additional Projects
Northeast
Back Bay Hilton Parking Garage
The 300-car Back Bay Hilton parking garage was built in 1981. Cambridge Seven Associates retained SGH to assess the condition of the parking decks and develop alternatives to repair existing distress and deterioration, control leakage, and extend the useful life of the garage.
Northeast
66 Galen Street, Watertown, MA
SGH consulted on building enclosure design for the building, featuring a variety of facade systems, including a curved curtain wall along the river-facing elevation, a green-roof terrace, and a membrane roof covered with a photovoltaic array.


