BOND Building Construction celebrates topping off of Mass. Maritime Academy STEM Building

Buzzards Bay, MA BOND Building Construction celebrated the “topping off” of a new Science, Technology, and Engineering (STEM) building for Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA). A traditional ceremony representing the placement of a construction project’s final beam, the gathering marked progress toward completion of construction on the 36,000 s/f facility, scheduled to open by summer of 2026.

BOND Building Construction is the preconstruction and construction manager for the project, a continuation of the company’s decade-long relationship with MMA. Co-commissioned by the academy and the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), the transformative project will elevate the academy’s scientific, engineering, and technological capabilities. The facility marks a significant milestone in the institution’s mission to deliver forward-looking education and research opportunities.

 “It is our honor at BOND Building Construction to have supported the delivery of numerous projects to Massachusetts Maritime Academy over the last decade,” said Francis Hayes, president of BOND Building Construction. “We consider the Academy a collaborative partner, and we share its motivation to create spaces that spark the betterment and future of education. We’re confident that students will benefit from this thoughtfully developed space as they prepare to enter the workforce.”

The first net-zero-ready structure on campus, the building was designed by project architect Ellenzweig and BR+A Consulting Engineers to be a guidepost for sustainability and a demonstrated commitment to the Commonwealth’s carbon reduction goals. Targeting Massachusetts LEED Gold certification, the fully electrified facility sets a new standard for energy-efficient, environmentally responsible construction within higher education.

The building will feature flexible teaching laboratories serving a wide range of disciplines, including general and organic chemistry, biology, physics, strength of materials, and operational controls. Dedicated support spaces, such as prep areas, a maker space, and innovation zones, will enhance hands-on learning and experimentation. New faculty offices and student gathering areas will foster a sense of academic community and connection.

To make way for the new structure, existing maintenance buildings on the site have been demolished. As such, the project also includes the renovation and repurposing of existing laboratory spaces across campus. 

These upgrades support the Academy’s strategic relocation of academic programs into a centralized, modern environment, improving operational efficiency and enabling interdisciplinary collaboration.

“Our campus has changed dramatically during my tenure. This new STEM building demonstrates our ongoing commitment to leading STEM innovation and workforce development in the Commonwealth and beyond,” said Rear Admiral Francis McDonald, USMS, president of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “We cannot overstate our gratitude to the Healey/Driscoll Administration for their unwavering commitment to higher education, something that is clear from her recent filing of the BRIGHT Act, as well as the support we’ve received from Congressman Keating and the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives.”

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are grateful to everyone who has had a hand in making this dream come true,” said Brian Connor, chair of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Board of Trustees. “With the Admiral’s leadership, help from local and state officials, and the great partnership with the town of Bourne, we are here today. It’s time to raise it!”

“DCAMM is proud to partner with the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to deliver a building that connects MMA students with a state-of-the-art STEM learning environment,” said Addam Baacke, commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance. “In addition to creating a facility that will help develop the next generation of leaders, this project exemplifies MMA’s leadership in the Commonwealth’s efforts to decarbonize and address the impacts of a changing climate. We are excited to celebrate this milestone for the project and our collaboration with BOND Building Construction, Ellenzweig Associates, and MMA.”