Franklin Cummings Tech

Project

Franklin Cummings Tech

Education: Higher Ed

Roxbury , MA | 2025

  • 67K GSF
  • 1 Company
  • 1 Professional

About

Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, now Franklin Cummings Tech (FCT), is a private non-profit college offering affordable technical education to a primarily BIPOC and mostly first-generation college student body.
FCT partnered with Studio G Architects’ team to design a new campus on Harrison Ave in Roxbury’s Nubian Square, a site chosen for the easy access and range of resources offered for students and faculty, as well as
FCT’s ability to play a pivotal role in reactivating Nubian Square after six decades of divestment.
 

The new three-story, 68,000 SF building will support 8 academic departments, including electrical engineering, opticianry and HVAC with technical labs designed for each program’s specific needs. They share
technology-rich classrooms, conference, meeting, and huddle rooms, a central student lounge and multiple study spaces. The glazed corner at Harrison Ave and Eustis Street puts the Engineering Technology Robotics Lab
on display to inspire potential students. The Automotive Department has a live garage where students repair cars for the public and labs for hybrid and driverless cars. The rear driveway for access to the automotive labs
is transformed into a social space with a sitting wall, pergola, and outdoor furnishings.
 

Focused on training students for green economy jobs in wind and solar power, FCT aspired to create a deeply sustainable building that is a teaching tool for students and a public expression of its educational mission.
Students in HVAC, electrical engineering, and renewable energy labs will utilize two rooftop learning labs that support hands-on learning on rooftop HVAC equipment, PV panels, and a wind tunnel, adjacent to
the building’s own systems. All students and faculty will enjoy the rooftop gathering space connected to the third-floor lounge by an open skylit stair.

Project Owner

Franklin Cummings Tech

Is the project achieving or targeting net zero energy?

Not Targeting or Achieving

Is the project Net Zero or Net Zero Ready?

Net Zero Ready

Project Size in GSF

67K

Category of height

Mid-Rise

How is the building all-electric for heating?

Air-source Heat Pump

Is the service hot water all-electric?

Yes

What is the primary system type for domestic hot water?

Air-source heat pump

On-site renewable energy

10%

Is the owner purchasing off-site renewable energy to offset all electricity consumption?

Unknown

The construction cost difference from "conventional" to being net zero "ready" (including incentives) for this building is

We didn't calculate the cost premium

Site EUI

44.8 kBtu/sf/year

Net Site EUI

42.0 kBtu/sf/year

The EUI is

Modeled

Carbon Emissions Intensity (CEI)

2.54kg/CO2e/sf

What is the climate zone for this project?

5A Cool Humid

Project Team

Architecture
Sustainability Consulting
  • Chris Schaffner

    LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP ID+C, LEED AP O+M, LEED Fellow, LFA, USGBC Faculty, ASHRAE BEMP, ASHRAE HBDP

    Sustainability Consultant

    917.7K GSF

    9 Projects

    36 Years Experience