Firm infuses design with history to create authentic charm in sought-after Fort Point neighborhood retail and dining destination
BOSTON, Nov. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Margulies Perruzzi (MP), one of New England’s most innovative architectural and interior design firms, today announced the completion of the Thomson Place retail activation and streetscape project in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood. Developed by global real estate investment manager Invesco Real Estate and Crosspoint Associates, Inc., MP designed the restoration and repositioning of three historic buildings at 25, 44 and 50 Thomson Place, with new ground-floor retail space and a new pedestrian plaza to create a vibrant retail and dining destination. A video profile of this historic retail renovation may be viewed at
With the conclusion of multiple tenant leases in the buildings, the development team saw the opportunity to convert ground-floor office space to street-level retail, restore the buildings’ architectural luster, and create an active streetscape that reflects the dynamic character of the Fort Point neighborhood. Steeped in history, MP’s design preserved the historic warehouse aesthetic while lowering the floors and window openings to provide accessibility and create sight lines and visual connection from the street. The giant openings once used for unloading goods became glass façades with lighting and signage to draw people into retail and restaurant establishments. To energize and enliven the streetscape, sidewalks were widened in areas to encourage pedestrian traffic, and a new 8,000 SF plaza with open green space was created as a public amenity for dining and performance art. MP and the development team took great care in respecting the historic context of the neighborhood while activating a new retail area for some big name tenants.
“Thomson Place presented a unique opportunity to embrace the authentic character of Fort Point and create a new ‘pocket’ neighborhood on the cusp of the Seaport District,” said John Kiernan, director, asset management for Invesco Real Estate. “MP’s design stayed true to the architectural spirit of the original structures and helped us modernize three historically significant buildings with the 21st century infrastructure sought by office and retail tenants.”
Margulies Perruzzi’s Jason Costello and Joe Flynn presented Home Base with a check for $15,000 on Veteran’s Day during “Project Community: Helping Veterans Heal,” a special telethon event hosted by Randy Price on WCVB Channel 5. The money donated was raised at a fundraiser and silent auction held by Margulies Perruzi on November 6.
Margulies Perruzzi worked with Home Base on their new Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic, completed in 2018. The design includes 20 counseling treatment rooms, 3 large group therapy rooms, 2 exam rooms, lab, Family/Patient Lounge, demonstration/teaching kitchen, recording studio, a multi purpose music/art therapy room, a 1,500 sf Fitness Center, and an exterior deck with healing garden.
Professional support space includes conference, huddle, enclosed work setting phone rooms, patient record, copy and storage spaces. The program is entirely client-focused; there are no private physician offices, and treatment rooms are designed with a comfortable “living room” aesthetic.
The facility, including the fitness center, is fully accessible to accommodate service members with physical disabilities.
For more information on our project for Home Base including footage from WCVB, visit:
Margulies Perruzzi (MP), one of New England’s most innovative architectural and interior design firms, announced today the completion of a new Boston office for Rubin and Rudman LLP, a national general practice law firm with offices in Boston, Washington, DC, and Cape Cod. MP provided space planning and interior design services for Rubin and Rudman’s new 30,000 SF office at 53 State Street in Boston.
Previously located on Boston’s Rowes Wharf, Rubin and Rudman sought an efficient and flexible office space that is more reflective of their clients’ workspaces and provides a greater degree of openness without sacrificing confidentiality. MP’s design features same-size private offices that reduce the need for future construction due to promotions, and that can also be converted to meeting rooms for greater flexibility. Enclosed perimeter spaces are designed with all-glass prefabricated office fronts to maximize daylight penetration as well as promote transparency and a strong visual connection between private offices and workstations. The reception area announces a more modern, yet still classic office design, and ushers visitors into the adjacent conference center offering a suite of conference rooms with coffee bar.
“For nearly a century, Rubin and Rudman attorneys have helped shape the laws of changing times. Today, we strive to remain cutting edge in an ever-changing legal environment, and the design of our new office reflects this mission,” said Laura Long, executive director at Rubin and Rudman. “MP understood our vision and created an efficient, technology-enhanced office that provides flexibility to accommodate future growth. Our modern work environment offers a welcoming and comfortable space where we are proud to welcome clients and guests.”
Wanting to retain the law library, MP’s design integrates shelving throughout the circulation areas to incorporate the library into the new space, eliminating the need for a designated room. Workstations provide operational flexibility for the shifting ratio of support staff to attorneys, and meeting and collaboration areas are equipped with the latest technology. The new staff lounge also doubles as a training space. The updated workplace aesthetic reflects Rubin and Rudman’s modern approach to providing legal services.
Structure Tone served as construction manager for the project, and RDK Engineers provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services. Cushman & Wakefield provided OPM services under the direction of Elizabeth Spath.
About Margulies Perruzzi
As one of New England’s top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi (MP) designs Workplace, Health+Science, and Real Estate projects that inspire and nurture human endeavor. More information may be found at www.mparchitectsboston.com.
As we get older, the milestones we reach become less celebrated. Becoming a teenager, an adult and turning 21 are all exciting birthdays. By the time we turn 50, nearly everyone will be asked by their doctor, “Have we scheduled your colonoscopy yet?” According to the Centers for Disease Control, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer found in both men and women and this new rite of passage is an important preventative measure in reducing the number of cancers found and the number of people who die from the disease. As the number of procedures needed increases so does the need to increase capacities at endoscopy centers.
When a regional hospital in Massachusetts had the opportunity to relocate and expand its Endoscopy department, Margulies Perruzzi was excited to tackle the challenges presented by several emerging design trends in these clinics. In addition to accommodating the increase in volumes, the solutions led to better access for patients, greatly improved patient comfort and privacy, staff efficiency and reduced patient wait times.
Architecture firm bolsters design team to serve the burgeoning life sciences market in Boston
Margulies Perruzzi(MP), one of New England’s most innovative architectural and interior design firms, announced the expansion of its Science Studio with the addition of Imran Khan, AIA, LEED AP as associate principal and Sarah Attia, LEED AP ID+C as an interior designer.
As an associate principal, Imran will be responsible for leading the overall direction of the Science Studio, including managing and recruiting staff, overseeing projects, and developing new client relationships. In her role as interior designer, Sarah will provide design, technical detailing, and space planning services from concept development through construction documentation for MP’s science clients.
According to the 2019 Industry Snapshot from Mass Bio, Boston is the number one hub for life sciences in the world. Massachusetts is home to a thriving life sciences community, the most highly educated workforce in the U.S., and universities and hospitals that are global leaders in biotech research. Over 12.4 million SF of commercial lab space has been added to Massachusetts in the last 10 years, an increase of 70%. Additionally, investment in the industry has again reached an all-time-high, with $4.8 billion of venture capital (VC) investment in Massachusetts biopharma companies in 2018.
“Boston’s life sciences employment growth has not only outpaced overall job growth at a pace of nearly four to one in the last year, but the region has also recorded the largest five-year employment growth out of any top life sciences cluster in the U.S.,” said Daniel Perruzzi, Jr., AIA, LEED AP, principal and senior partner at Margulies Perruzzi. “We are excited to welcome Imran and Sarah to our design team. They bring a broad range of skills and experience designing a variety of laboratory, technology, and healthcare projects, and they understand our firm’s focus on creating high-quality design and workplace strategies that support our clients’ business goals.”
Whether they are working on the next drug targeting a life-threatening disease, advancing immunotherapy, designing a new medical device to promote faster healing, science companies are focused on delivering important discoveries designed to improve the quality of life. Offering an integrated approach to design, Margulies Perruzzi’s design process parallels the scientific process: gathering data, observing conditions, proposing and testing solutions, and then deploying designs that improve the working environments for employees.
With an inspirational Science portfolio, Margulies Perruzzi specializes in life sciences, medical devices, research and development (R&D), and manufacturing. Margulies Perruzzi has worked with a wide range of industry leaders, including Siemens, Nuvera Fuel Cells, Millipore Sigma, Philips, Metabolix, Boston Scientific, and many others.
With over 25 years of experience with design firms in the Boston area, Imran has planned, directed, and monitored all aspects of technically complex, multidisciplinary projects such as the design for a mixed-use biotechnology R&D laboratory and office building for EMD Serono; the design and construction of a Manufacturing Science & Technology (MSAT) Pilot Plant; and a health sciences simulation laboratory suite at Northeastern University.
“Our goal is to leverage design to transform spaces in order to help our clients achieve their missions of improving people’s lives,” said Imran. “As designers, we are always seeking ways to improve the built environments through creative and strategic planning solutions. With a great team of people who truly care about the quality of their work, our process is dynamic, motivating, and productive enabling lifelong partnerships with our clients.”
Imran holds a Bachelor of Science in architecture from Northeastern University and he has served on the MArch Thesis Faculty at Boston Architectural College since 2007. A registered architect in four states, he is a member of the AIA, BSA, and USGBC as well as a LEED accredited professional.
Sarah Attia, LEED AP ID+C ~ Interior Designer
With nearly 15 years of experience, Sarah has a deep and varied portfolio of science and technology, commercial, hospitality and healthcare projects. She excels at all aspects of the design process and has exceptional programming, space planning, code analysis, and technical skills, including interior detail development.
Since beginning her career in interior design, Sarah has worked at several Boston-area architecture and interior design firms as a designer, interior architect, and project manager. In these roles, she contributed her extensive interior design skills for projects in the pharmaceutical, R&D, healthcare, corporate, hospitality, and higher education markets.
Sarah received a Master of Arts in Interior Architecture from the New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University in Boston and holds a Master of Law from Tel-Aviv University in Israel. She is a LEED accredited professional and a member of the IIDA New England Chapter.
About Margulies Perruzzi
As one of New England’s top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi (MP) designs Workplace, Healthcare+Science, and Real Estate projects that inspire and nurture human endeavor. More information may be found at http://mparchitectsboston.com.
The open office is not a new concept, and it is one that continues to gain global momentum as office designs become more progressive. But, if research indicates that organizations moving to more open work environments is here to stay, then why all the negative press? The issue stems from the definition of the “open office.” Visit this link to read the feature article on HighProfile.com
Margulies Perruzzi’s project for Home Base was recently featured in Healthcare Design Magazine’s “Monitor” section in the August 2019 issue. Visit this link to read the feature.
