point cover jan 13 - Boston Redevelopment Authority

\\MABOS\projects\11381.00\reports\Article80\
Expanded_PNF\04_Environmental_FINAL.do
c
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
The Point, Boston
locations directly at the Project Site (1, 6, and 12) are currently Uncomfortable and one location (13) is
Uncomfortable with unacceptable wind gusts.
Build Pedestrian Wind Conditions
The pedestrian wind conditions as a result of the Project are shown in Figure 4.1b. As anticipated, the
building’s effects during the winter months, when the winds come primarily from the northwest, were the
most notable. In comparing the No-Build and Build Conditions, changes to the wind speeds and patterns
were incremental and clustered in the immediate vicinity of the proposed building. Off-site, location 86 along
Peterborough Street will not be impacted by the Project and will remain unchanged (Uncomfortable with
unacceptable wind gusts). Location 91, which under the No-Build Condition is at a Dangerous level, is
improved with the Project, which includes the installation of landscaping in that area. Also off-site (at the
corner of the adjacent building on Boylston Street), the pedestrian wind conditions at Location 16 are
improved as a result of the Project.
At the Project Site, Locations 1, 6, and 13 remain unchanged under the Build Conditions (an Uncomfortable
level) where Location 13 continues to also have unacceptable wind gusts even with the proposed mitigation
(described further below). Location 12 falls within the site driveway and is improved under the Build
Condition (from Uncomfortable to Standing).
Proposed Mitigation
Mitigation measures proposed under the Build Condition include a solid canopy and porous vertical screens
at the building’s westernmost facade, just north of Location 6. In addition, as a general measure to improve
the pedestrian experience relative to wind, the addition of trees is proposed along the north side of Brookline
Avenue and at the west end of the Project Site at the juncture of Brookline Avenue and Boylston Street. To
address the existing unacceptable wind gusts in the site driveway (Location 13), the project design team
evaluated numerous mitigation strategies, such as the provision of a longitudinal awning or canopy to
address this ground level condition. The team decided on a porous canopy strategically located over a
portion of the site driveway as a means of substantially calming wind activity in the driveway. None of the
numerous strategies evaluated were shown to completely eliminate the wind gust condition at Location 13.
The design team anticipates that as the building design progresses, wind effects at this location may be
further reduced through the provision of an architectural detail, such as awnings and/or screens.
Though not required, mitigation for outstanding Uncomfortable points (such as Locations 1 and 6) will be
addressed on a location by location basis to match proposed uses and needs and will likely take the form of
an architectural detail, such as awnings and/or screens. These measures will be developed as the design of
the pedestrian environment and building progresses. All of these details are expected to further contribute to
the mitigation of wind effects.
4-6 Environmental Protection