Young construction trainees tackle green building,
visit New York to view LEED Platinum masterpiece

YouthBuild Boston students tour Bank of America tower as it nears completion

Roxbury, MA, April 30, 2008 –It’s no secret — most people are aware of the increased role of green technologies in the construction industry. But a small group of young people in Roxbury are experiencing the phenomenon first-hand. Students at YouthBuild Boston (YBB) use green principles every day in their building and design projects. Last Friday they received an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of green building grandeur — the new Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Place in New York, which is the first skyscraper designed to attain LEED Platinum-certification. Completion of the building’s construction is anticipated for late 2008.

Twenty-two students were treated to an overnight trip to New York City, sponsored by Bank of America, a long-time supporter of YBB. Bank of America and Tishman Construction Corporation, the project’s general contractor, coordinated a private tour of the building, led by Tishman Project Manager, Lap Yan. Amanda Clontz, the project’s Sustainable Construction Manager, talked with students about the many green features of the building, including energy efficiency measures and a variety of recycled materials.

The tour began with a ride to the 30th floor in a construction elevator, which was an experience in itself. One student commented, “Although I'm freakishly afraid of heights it was cool going up 30 floors on a construction lift — a first time experience that I'll never forget.” Students then traveled down the stairs, touring floors in different states of completion and seeing how different aspects of green building are implemented. Along with the elevator ride, student favorites included: bamboo ceilings, an ice phase transition cooling system, floor-to-ceiling insulating glass and — of course — waterless urinals. Another student noted, "I learned a lot of important facts about building and planning new construction. You really have to plan way ahead of time about green space and how space is going to be occupied. The fact that they needed to build a new subway station to give access to workers and customers is pretty amazing.”

The visit was not all business. Students had a chance to see some of the city. They visited Central Park, Times Square at night, the World Trade Center site and Chinatown. Greg Mumford, YBB’s Deputy Director, accompanied the students. "All the students were grateful for the experience of the trip as a whole," he said. "I want to thank Bank of America and Tishman Construction for their time, effort and other resources they contributed to make this trip happen. It was really a great opportunity for our young people."

The students who went on the trip participate in YBB’s Construction Training Program and Designery architecture workshop. Construction students work on sites where they engage in hands-on training in various aspects of the construction process as they build affordable housing. Current projects include a new LEED Platinum certified two-family home in Mattapan, and a rehabilitation of a brownstone in the South End. Green components of these projects include a green roof, photovoltaic panels, a co-generation heating system, structural insulated panels, an insulated concrete foundation, energy efficient windows, recycled and sustainable materials, and more. Students who don’t have their high school diploma also study to earn their GED.

The Designery is an after school architecture workshop for high school students. “Jr. Designers” learn about design principles and, with the help of college architecture students and professional architect mentors, develop real design solutions to help local nonprofits and community agencies. They are currently doing design research for the green roof on YBB’s brownstone project.

About YouthBuild Boston
YouthBuild Boston improves opportunities for underserved urban youth by teaching them academic and vocational skills to support themselves so they can bring about positive, lasting change in their communities.

YouthBuild Boston media contact:
Andrew Padilla
617.445.8887 x15
apadilla@ybboston.org