Pipefitters

Practice Area

Client

Local 537 Pipefitters Union

Industry

  1. The state-of-the-art headquarters and training center for the Local 537 Pipefitters organization in Dorchester, MA will serve as a catalyst for the organization’s future.

  2. The main lobby welcomes members and visitors with a large plywood wall highlighting core values and signage of the Pipefitters’ newly designed brand identity.

  3. Stainless steel pipes engraved with the organization’s motto and internally lit with colored lighting sits in front of a feature wall of hot-rolled steel.

  4. The pipe installation continues from the first floor to the second floor and can be seen from the main street outside.

  5. The updated memorial wall employs materials used throughout the space and showcases the organization’s history by highlighting their past and present members.

  6. The various wall graphic murals are designed featuring the original pipe drawings of the building, while making the connection to the organization’s home, in Boston.

  7. The weldshop was designed for multiple apprentices to practice all at once, bringing them all into one location to foster the brotherhood.

Project Vision

Pipefitter Association Local 537 is a 100 year-old construction trade association, representing over 3,000 members, working on pipefitting, welding and HVAC/refrigeration projects of all shapes and sizes throughout Massachusetts. Their two existing buildings—built in 1880 and 1964—were outdated, uninspiring and uninviting. The design team spent time learning about the organization’s values, culture and community, then with deep respect for their craft and accomplishments, set out to design a new 70,000—square-foot, four-story headquarters and training center that would celebrate their dynamic story.

History is fused throughout the design. The glass and steel building has a neo-industrial feel with exposed ceilings and floor-to-ceiling. Inspiring words like Unionism, Protection, Pride, Benevolence, Brotherhood, Craftsmanship and Integrity are laser etched in a two-story plywood wall that serves as a daily reminder to members of their core values.

Make your way up the stairs to the lobby and you are greeted by memorial wall that commemorates past and present members by name. The updated design is a reverential nod to the previous memorial wall that had been thoughtfully designed and constructed by members.

There’s a large, open gathering space, training center, offices and a 500-person multi-purpose auditorium available for public use, and of course, state-of-the-art classrooms where apprentices can learn their new trade.

The new headquarters incorporates innovative green strategies, and member-friendly HVAC systems. And there’s even a modern, well-appointed gym and fitness center. Finally, the EGD team redesigned the union’s logo and brand standards and implemented them throughout the architecture and interior design.

Project Details
Design Team

Matthew Formicola (project manager); Walker Shanklin, TJ Stokes (designers); Heath Cody (project architect); Amanda Vicari (senior interior designer); Matthew Maggiacomo (environmental graphic designer)

Project Area

70,000 sq ft

Fabricators

, Jaywalk Studio (fabrication and installation)