Zero Energy Main Street Fitchburg

Abstract

In Massachusetts's current affordable housing crisis, this proposed mixed-use multifamily downtown development at 500 Main St. in Fitchburg will provide housing to serve the city's ethnically diverse population and retail/commercial space to encourage entrepreneurial establishments and business services, all while adhering to new Massachusetts Energy-Zero Codes. This project will add density, diversity, and quality of life reinstating Fitchburg as the vibrant industrial and cultural hub it once was. Applying an integrated design approach, this project will create a highly functional, pleasing, and durable building that minimizes energy use through good passive design and the utilization of sound engineering principles to maintain comfort while minimizing energy consumption and environmental degradation. Exploiting the projects ideal downtown location allows easy walking access for all. Ground level retail/commercial spaces have high visibility, daylighting, and rear service access. Upper-level apartments are configured to maximize views and daylight, and will serve to heighten the quality of urban living. The units will have functional layouts reflecting today's modern living, efficient low energy, low-cost environmental systems, appliances, and lighting. Rooftop and courtyard spaces are dedicated to outdoor living and solar energy production. Building materials will be selected through life cycle analysis and their environmental impact. Heating and cooling will be through advanced geothermal heat pump technology and heat recovery systems with natural ventilation by operable glazing. This project will serve the Fitchburg community needs while applying advanced building practices and approaches to create a zero energy building.

Emily Howard, Jhumnioor Fulcar Delacruz, Corey Dandy, Zach Guarnaccia, Melchior Lynch, Angela Polynice, Juvens Sanon, Sharon Del Valle, Mynor Gamez, Tyler Mentzer, David Morales, & Naiim Muhammad | Engineering Technology | Faculty Sponsor Keith Chenot