Moon Island Firing Range
Additional Info
Award Winner : Vanguard Modular Building Systems, LLC
Design Firm Name : CSS Architects
Occupied Date : 12/21/2017
Owner Firm Name : City of Boston | Boston Police Department
Production Start Date : 5/1/2017
Project Location City : Quincy
Project Location State Name : MA
Total Square Feet : 3600
Category : Permanent: Office: under 10,000 sq. ft.
Cost Energy Effectiveness : The remote limited access and confined construction site would have significantly lengthened the building construction schedule had any means other than off-site construction been used for this project. The project's reduced construction schedule made this project a cost effective solution. The entire building was crane set and dried-in within a single day. This rapid installation allowed for ancillary site-work such as sidewalks, fence installation, curbs, paving, and striping to all be performed in rapid succession ensuring the vital facility could be up and running as quickly as possible. Downtime at the training facility was not a feasible option, so off-site construction created the chance for operations to continue even while the building was being constructed at the factory. By using modular building construction, Boston Police Department did not have to interrupt or displace their firearms and tactical training at all.
Architectural Excellence : This two-story firearms training facility serves as the weapons and tactical testing and training hub for the Boston Police Department and other local law enforcement divisions. Each facet of the building's chic design creates a space that is highly conducive to group classroom training and administrative office use for firing range personnel. Custom floor to ceiling bullet resistant windows create a magnificent view of the Quincy Bay while flooding natural light into the modern and expansive classroom. A custom fabricated metal panelized system fashions the stunning contemporary exterior appearance, while providing a highly durable and maintenance free finish. Specialty panels designed to absorb and diminish the sound of gun fire adorn the rear of the building. Highly sophisticated materials, finishes, and mechanical features are combined to balance functionality with aesthetics in the private offices, restrooms, classroom, armory, fitness room, break area, and control room.
Technical Innovation : Moon Island is connected to Quincy, Massachusetts by a narrow and limited access 4,175 ft. causeway. The two-story building was constructed with six 45 ft. long and 42,000 lb. prefabricated modules to help limit construction traffic on and off the island. The site posed challenges due to its proximity to the firing range, the Quincy Bay shoreline, and also the homes across the Quincy Bay. To mitigate the gun fire reverberation, the exterior facing the firing range was clad with panels designed to defuse and absorb the sound keeping it from traveling across the Quincy Bay. LED Troffers throughout the building provide generous lighting, while supporting energy efficiency. The HVAC system was designed with VAV units controlled by a highly complex computer system. This custom mechanical design ensures that the volume of air each room receives is appropriate based on individual need. White EPDM was installed on the roof to reduce the amount of solar radiation collected by the surface.