Charles Rose Architects’ pathbreaking zero-net energy building in Greenfield, MA, the John W. Olver Transit Center, is a winner of the American Institute of Architect’s highest honor for sustainable design. The 2023 COTE Top Ten Award, often called the “gold-standard” for sustainable design in the United States, recognizes design excellence and the comprehensive integration of innovation and engineering. The Olver center, a combined train depot, transit station and government office building, symbolizes CRA’s mission to create sustainable architecture and landscapes that support communities and offer compelling solutions to climate change.
The John Olver Transit Center is the first zero-net energy combined office and transit center in the United States. Named in honor of former U. S. Rep. John W. Olver (D-MA) the project was funded in part by the Federal Transportation Authority (FTA), the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The 24,000-square-foot transit hub introduced high-performance architecture to Franklin County, blending principles of sustainable and ethical design. The project serves as a depot for regional and interstate bus lines, Amtrak’s Vermonter and Valley Flyer, and the office for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments.
