Berkshire Visitor Center
Adams, MA
MassDevelopment Agency
Federal/State/Military
The contemporary building respects the historic mill architecture of Adams while salvaging a formerly polluted brownfields site adjacent to the new rail trail. The center provides a welcome rest stop for bicyclists and motorists, which includes an S E A-designed exhibit hall with striking views of Mount Greylock—the tallest peak in Massachusetts.
Project awards
- Submitted for AIA Design Award
Sustainable features
A geothermal groundwater heat pump was employed to supply the required heating and cooling, thereby reducing the anticipated energy cost by 25 percent. Innovative soil geo-piers enabled foundations to be excavated with minimal disruption to hazardous soils. Reutilization of the formerly polluted brownfields site.
Client collaboration
S E A worked closely with both MassDevelopment and the Town of Adams to make sure both entities had their needs fully met. We were able to suggest shared common facilities such as conference rooms to minimize the overall floor area and construction cost.