BOSTON – August 21, 2024 – Kaplan Construction, a WBE general contractor and construction management firm providing comprehensive building programs across Greater Boston, announced today that First Parish in Cambridge and the Worcester Art Museum have been honored with preservation achievement awards from the Cambridge Historical Commission and Preservation Worcester, respectively.
The Cambridge Historical Commission annually recognizes projects and individuals that have made exceptional contributions to preserving the city’s historic character and built environment. This year’s Preservation Awards celebrated both buildings and individuals for projects completed between January and December 2023. First Parish in Cambridge was one of 16 projects recognized. Built in 1833 in the Carpenter Gothic style, First Parish of Cambridge (then called First Parish Church) stood proudly for a century before twin hurricanes in the mid-20th century felled two of the tower’s pinnacles. A subsequent redesign then erased much of the original architect’s design. The historic renovation, designed by Torrey Architecture, aimed to restore and replicate these lost elements while providing universal access for all congregants. The multiphase master plan to repair the iconic church included renovations to the sanctuary, minister’s study, and vestibule, as well as restoration of the steeple, entryway, and narthex. Numerous components of the meeting house were also restored, including the clock face, frieze panels, and the belfry roof. First Parish of Cambridge, located at 1450 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, Mass., has long been an anchor institution for Harvard Square, and its programs foster innovative community service and promote racial and social justice and multi-faith worship. Kaplan is currently performing the third phase of work, which involves repointing the ashlar stonework, replacing cracked stone and slate, and reconstructing the chimney.
The project team members include:
- Owner: First Parish in Cambridge
- Owner’s Representative: KVA
- Construction Manager: Kaplan Construction
- Architect: Torrey Architecture
- Structural Engineer: Structures North
Preservation Worcester, in partnership with the City of Worcester, recently held its annual Preservation Awards to recognize outstanding restoration, renovation, and development projects that foster historic preservation in the city. Preservation Worcester honored nine awardees that ‘have not only brought new life to underutilized historic buildings, but have also developed new partnerships, created community engagement and storytelling opportunities, and helped foster vibrant neighborhoods in the city.’ The Worcester Art Museum’s Lancaster Plaza project won in the compatible construction category, which recognizes new construction that is visually compatible in mass, scale, and style with historic buildings in the immediate vicinity, and contributes to the preservation of a neighborhood. Kaplan managed the project from 2020 to 2021, as part of the museum’s new phase of renovation and improvements to address their evolving 21st century needs. The renovation of the plaza, originally built in 1898, included a new granite entry staircase, landscaped courtyard, and a new elevator system to provide access to three floors of the Higgins Education Wing. The museum remained open to the public throughout construction.
The project team members include:
- Owner: Worcester Art Museum
- Owner’s Representative: Conformlab
- Construction Manager: Kaplan Construction
- Design Architect: WHY Architects
- Architect of Record: Fieldworkshop
- Structural Engineer: Caputo and Wick, Ltd.
- MEP Engineer: Seaman Engineering Corporation
- Fire Protection Engineer: Technical Solutions Associates
Image courtesy of Worcester Art Museum