EF Education First

Founded in 1965, EF Education First is the largest privately held education provider in the world, specializing in language training, educational travel, academic degree programs, and cultural exchange. Skanska USA Building selected TG Gallagher as their design-build partner for EF's new North American headquarters. The new building will feature a large, wide open framed atrium space with an exterior cascading glass waterfall that was inspired by its close proximity to the Charles River.

TG Gallagher designed a heating and cooling plant with two large air handlers in a rooftop mechanical penthouse to provide the building with full air distribution, and a displacement air system; this helped minimize the strict floor-to-ceiling height requirements. The life safety systems for the waterfall presented unique challenges to the entire team. However, a thoughtful design process ensured EF Education First would have a safe, highly efficient, code compliant system. To substantially reduce the building’s water consumption, TG Gallagher also installed two grey water collection systems as part of the plumbing infrastructure.

Architect: Wingardh Arkitektkontor AB of Sweden, and Wilson Architects Inc.
Engineer: TG Gallagher (Design Build)
General Contractor: Skanska USA Building