Lexington's DPW building wins national award

The Samuel Hadley Public Services building, the new home for the Lexington Public Works department, is receiving national honors for its design.

The building, which opened in August, was recently named one of the public works projects of the year by the American Public Works Association, with the organization citing the building as a "new way of planning for a public works facility."

The $27.5 million facility features sustainable and energy-efficient design, including water efficiency, the use of recycled materials, and passive solar design,with the building oriented to maximize southern exposure.    The building is also in the process of receiving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.  The organization also cites the building's shared workspace and workshops that foster collaboration and efficiency.  

The facility also collects rain water to use for the town's street sweepers and washing vehicles.  

The building was named for Samuel Hadley, a Lexingtonian who died in the 1775 Battle of Lexington at the age of 29.  

The Town of Lexington, as well as the project's primary contractor, CTA Construction, and consultant HKT Architects Inc., will be honored at the American Public Works Association at their expo in Boston from August 15-18.