J. Calnan & Associates Aligns with Alternative Fuel Company Verenium Biofuels

1/30/2008, Quincy, MA -- J. Calnan & Associates, Inc., one of New England’s leading construction management firms specializing in world-class preconstruction services and challenging construction projects, recently completed new corporate headquarters for alternative fuel company, Verenium Bio-Fuels in Cambridge, MA in collaboration with the Natick-based architect, Business Design Group and Boston-based engineer, Consulting Engineers Services.

“As the future warrants a change in energy options for automobiles, gasoline will, sooner or later cease to be economically feasible, and the need to develop alternative fuel is vital. Therefore, building a facility that supports this energy crisis is a mission that we can take pride in being associated with,” states Jay Calnan, President of J. Calnan & Associates, Inc.

Verenium is a leader in the development and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol, an environmentally-friendly and renewable transportation fuel, as well as high-performance specialty enzymes for applications within the biofuels, industrial, and health and nutrition markets. The company possesses integrated, end-to-end capabilities in pre-treatment, novel enzyme development, fermentation, engineering, and project development and is moving rapidly to commercialize its proprietary technology for the production of ethanol from a wide array of feedstocks, including sugarcane bagasse, dedicated energy crops, agricultural waste, and wood products.

“To reflect Verenium’s corporate culture, we chose an organic and open plan with a palette of natural colors & textures that resonate with Verenium’s mission. The design concept for the client’s space came from their product Cellulosic Ethanol… a clear, colorless liquid. Glass, light, plants, and soft reflective colors brighten and open up the space, revealing unobstructed views of the Charles River and Boston Skyline. Large planters become focal points connecting the space with nature,” said Janis Reiters, President of Business Design Group.

Due to the company’s growth the alternative transportation fuel company recently moved into a conservative 21,000 square-foot office space, which is detailed with curved soffits along a picturesque corridor break area; a café which opens to a balcony patio; a reception area that includes high-end millwork and several open office and meeting areas including a conference room.

"Our new corporate headquarters are a perfect reflection of, who we are today and how we have grown. Now that we are settled in, we are delighted with our new home. “Masterpiece” is the word used most often to describe Verenium’s new offices, said Bar Littlefield, Verenium's Vice President of Finance and Administration.

During construction the building remained occupied above and below the construction area at all times.

About J. Calnan & Associates, Inc.
Founded in 1996, J. Calnan & Associates, Inc. (JC&A), headquartered in Quincy, MA with an office in New York City, is one of New England’s leading construction management firms specializing in pre-construction services and challenging construction projects. JC&A provides world-class services to select high-profile clients in the corporate, private school, life science, industrial/manufacturing, recreational, mixed-use/multi-unit residential, advanced technology and sustainable building markets. JC&A’s reputation has earned assignments from select clients, including Reebok International, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, The TJX Companies, Inc., Thayer Academy, New England Sports Network (NESN), Liberty Mutual, Millipore Corporation, Tufts University, The MathWorks, and General Electric. Among awards this year, JC&A earned the “IIDA New England Interior Design Award” for teamwork and sustainable design, the Boston Business Journal ranked JC&A as one of the “Top 50 Fastest Growing Private Companies” and “Top Corporate Philanthropist” in the state, Boston SF recognized JC&A as “Construction Firm of the Year,” and the Ohio Casualty Group presented JC&A with the Platinum Safety Award for an outstanding safety record. More information can be found at www.jcalnan.com.

About Verenium
Verenium Corporation is a leader in the development and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol, an environmentally-friendly and renewable transportation fuel, as well as high-performance specialty enzymes for applications within the biofuels, industrial, and health and nutrition markets. The Company possesses integrated, end-to-end capabilities in pre-treatment, novel enzyme development, fermentation, engineering, and project development and is moving rapidly to commercialize its proprietary technology for the production of ethanol from a wide array of feedstocks, including sugarcane bagasse, dedicated energy crops, agricultural waste, and wood products. In addition to the vast potential for biofuels, a multitude of large-scale industrial opportunities exist for the Company for products derived from the production of low-cost, biomass-derived sugars.

Verenium's Specialty Enzyme business harnesses the power of enzymes to create a broad range of specialty products to meet high-value commercial needs. Verenium's world class R&D organization is renowned for its capabilities in the rapid screening, identification, and expression of enzymes—proteins that act as the catalysts of biochemical reactions.

Verenium operates one of the nation's first cellulosic ethanol pilot plants, an R&D facility, in Jennings, Louisiana and expects to achieve mechanical completion of a 1.4 million gallon-per-year, demonstration-scale facility to produce cellulosic ethanol by the end of the first quarter of 2008. In addition, the Company's process technology has been licensed by Tokyo-based Marubeni Corp. and Tsukishima Kikai Co., Ltd. and has been incorporated into BioEthanol Japan's 1.4 million liter-per-year cellulosic ethanol plant in Osaka, Japan – the world's first commercial-scale plant to produce cellulosic ethanol from wood construction waste. For more information on Verenium, visit www.verenium.com.

About Business Design Group
Business Design Group, founded by Janis Reiters, an architect with over 30 years experience in architecture and interior design, provides clients with exceptional design and project management services.

In 1993, as founder of a design and project management firm, Janis worked to define the practice of “business architecture.” The firm moved to the forefront of the profession by developing new “extra-architectural” services.” In 1997, the company was recognized as one of America’s best managed firms by Architectural Record, the journal of the American Institute of Architects.

Business Design Group again sets new standards. As businesses face new challenges, Business Design Group turns them into profitable opportunities for their clients through insightful, innovative and executable “business architecture”.


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For more information, contact:

Maureen Rystrom Director of Marketing J. Calnan & Associates, Inc. 617-801-0258 MRystrom@JCalnan.com