Draft Project Impact Report - Boston Redevelopment Authority

Exeter Residences/888 Boylston
\\Mabos\projects\09916.00\docs\Permits\DPIR\Text\DPIR Chapter 5
Environmental.docx
The south elevation and portion of the east and west elevations are a
combination of masonry and windows that reduce the potential impact of
solar glare.
The curved east façade of the building will disperse the reflected sun instead
of concentrating it.
The Solar Glare analysis is based on a fully reflective glass condition. The
actual building glass will have a reduced reflectivity which will substantially
mitigate solar glare effects.
Potential glare impacts to vehicles on Boylston Street in December will be
behind and to the right of the direction of travel and shouldn’t impair
drivers. These effects are greatly improved over the 155 foot condition.
888 Boylston is a fully glazed building that will reflect sunlight onto neighboring
buildings and streets. The proposed Project design has been updated with changes in
building geometry and façade treatments to reduce solar glare while maintaining the
building’s design vernacular. The potential for negative consequences are noticeably
mitigated by a number of factors:
The building is substantially set back from Boylston Street and surrounded
by buildings that shade the street from a significant portion of the reflected
sunlight.
Street trees on the plaza protect Boylston Street from early morning glare in
the summer months.
Boylston Street is one-way, so that traffic has its back to some of the
afternoon glare effects.
The stepped configuration of the south elevation puts some of it in shadow
in the morning.
The existing Prudential Arcade glazing is tinted which will greatly reduce
glare effects
The Solar Glare analysis is based on a fully reflective glass condition. The
actual building glass will have a reduced reflectivity which will substantially
mitigate solar glare effects.
Likely effects from the proposed Project on the surrounding public spaces, despite
these mitigating features, include the following:
Heat gain through the glazed roof of the Prudential Center atrium, especially
in the summer.
Potential glare from 888 Boylston on Boylston Street in June, addressed with
plaza tree plantings.
Some potential heat gain in pedestrian areas west of the Exeter Residences in
the afternoon in late June.
The Proponent will continue to evaluate the design of the west and east façades of
the building to the extent possible. In particular, glass treatments including special
DRAFT - Environmental Protection 5-39