A First In Boston: Smart Urban Living Project Wins Holcim Design Award

BOSTON, Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston's smart, sustainable residential development, called the Chrysanthemum Building, has won a prestigious Holcim Design Award it was announced today (September 22, 2014). Designed by Kennedy & Violich Architecture, Ltd. (KVA Matx) and developed by Rafi Properties, LLC, the Chrysanthemum Building is the first building in Boston to receive a Holcim Award. The Chrysanthemum Building was selected from a field of over of over 6,000 projects by an international jury of experts at the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction based in Switzerland. The Chrysanthemum Building located in Boston's North End, will break ground at the end of September, 2014 with an expected completion date in July 2015.  Central Contractor, Inc. led by Mr. Joseph Boccelli has been selected to build the project. 

"The Chrysanthemum Building transforms a vacant parking lot into a new model for smart and sustainable urban living," said Sheila Kennedy, a principal architect at KVA Matx.  Residences include innovative micro-units that give young people the opportunity to become first time home owners, two-story duplex units and large loft units for families.  Organized around a courtyard green terrace, the Chrysanthemum Building provides abundant natural light and fresh air to enhance all living units and common spaces, reducing operational costs and energy use.  The building structure of locally harvested renewable wood sequesters 32 metric tons of carbon and minimizes construction disruption. To promote the City's movement to use public transportation, each unit will be provided with a bicycle and a designated bicycle storage area.

The Chrysanthemum Building will be professionally managed by a mobile phone app created by Rafi properties in collaboration with the design team. This mobile platform is a smart building management system that will enable residents to manage trash, re-cycling and order neighborhood services.  The Chrysanthemum app connects residents with local service providers, and encourages the support of sustainable local businesses, restaurants, and healthy food providers.

"Sustainability is a big part of the lifestyle that Rafi property Development intends to create. The Chrysanthemum Building is a great example of what new residential development should be—a combination of sustainable design and construction and intelligent property management," said Property Developer Mr. Collin Yip, who holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Boston University. "The Chrysanthemum flower inspires this building's identity. This common flower which grows in Boston and Hong Kong helps to naturally cleanse urban soil and is a symbol of prosperity, long life and good health.  This is exactly the experience we want to provide for residents."   

ABOUT
Kennedy & Violich Architecture, Ltd. (KVA Matx) is an internationally recognized design practice that works at the intersection of architecture, digital technologies and emerging public needs.  Led by Principals Sheila Kennedy, AIA and Juan Frano Violich, FAIA the KVA team creates award winning, innovative designs that advance sustainable materials, buildings and cities.  For more information on KVA Matx and the Chrysanthemum Building, please see: http://www.kvarch.net/projects

ABOUT
Rafi Properties is a Real estate Development and Property Management Company based in Downtown Boston, Massachusetts and Hong Kong.  Rafi Properties' vision is to develop a convenient and sustainable lifestyle into their mixed-used projects. Through technology, contemporary design, sustainable construction,and property management, Rafi Properties develops what the future of urban living should be.

Media Contacts:
Frano Violich, FAIA; Principal of Kennedy & Violich Architecture, (617) 442-0800, [email protected]   
Collin Yip, President; Rafi Properties, LLC, (617) 974-1138, [email protected]

SOURCE Kennedy & Violich Architecture, Ltd.