Brunswick Station

Gawron Turgeon Architects worked with JHR Development to design a mixed-use development in Brunswick. The 5-acre parcel of land, a mere brown field, on Maine Street in Brunswick was one of the largest remaining pieces of land left to develop.  The buildings were designed with attention to scale, proportions and architectural character, encouraging retail, office, hospitality and transportation tenants to continue the vibrancy of downtown Brunswick. The final project included Mid-Coast Hospital’s Primary Walk-In Clinic, a 10,000 SF tenant fit-up.

This project provided the challenge to design three buildings that would complement the historical architecture of downtown Brunswick and provide flexibility within the design for different sized tenant spaces. In addition, the existing site and its unsuitable soils created a structural challenge that was solved by extensive geotechnical exploration and recommendations for a hybrid-type foundation system using geo piers and standard foundations. Sustainability practices were also considered throughout the project.  The location’s proximity to the train tracks provided alternative transportation along with inherent walk-ability in relation to downtown Brunswick. The buildings were designed to exceed the current building code with rigid insulation providing a thermal barrier on the exterior envelope.  Wood windows and wood exterior siding were used as renewable products. Many low-to-no VOC paints and adhesives were used on both exterior and interior surfaces. Energy efficient light fixtures and low plumbing fixtures were used unless tenant requirements dictated otherwise.

GTA designed Buildings 1, 3 & 4. Building 1 was designed as a one-tenant, one-story building blending in nicely with the historic buildings along Main Street. Buildings 3 & 4, both set back further from Main Street, were designed as larger, two-story, multi-tenant structures to create hierarchy within the site. The designs provided connection to the existing train tracks for a welcoming station and visitor center. Building 3 included the anchor tenant of the project, Midcoast Medical Group Primary Care Walk-In Clinic, on the entire first floor. The clinic included 8 exam rooms, a procedure room, digital diagnostics and blood draw lab. The tenant was critical to supporting the project, as well as providing needed services to the community and Bowdoin College Campus. The site design also took into account the railway track’s elevation and ensured the pedestrian route from parking to the buildings and train would be accessible and easy to navigate.