The team at Margulies Perruzzi has been compiling information and data from our clients, and we would like to share some metrics that are trending as we consider the workplace in 2025 and beyond.
Click the link below to view our latest report!
Author: Staci Barber
BOSTON, MA – February 6, 2025 – Margulies Perruzzi (MP), one of New England’s most highly regarded architectural and interior design firms, announced today that it has completed a 12,300 SF renovation for Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, for the Endoscopy Center in Boston, Mass. This renovation follows the completion of BWH’s 3,500 SF Vascular Imaging suite.
BWH’s endoscopy center renovation included a three-phased modernization of the existing department and expansion into the existing vascular imaging suite. The project created eight licensed procedure rooms and expanded the number of patient pre-op and post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) to include 21 stretcher bays. The renovation allowed for the PACU to be sized in accordance with current standards and increased the quality of space and care provided to patients.
The project phasing ensured both the endoscopy center and vascular imaging suite could continue treating patients during construction by relocating vascular imaging to a separate area before starting the phased renovation of the expanded endoscopy center.
The detailed programming for this space was crucial and involved multiple meetings with the end users to design a functional space. The renovated endoscopy center now includes a reception waiting room, a PACU with 21 stretcher bays, including a patient-of-size room, two nurse stations, and an exam room, along with eight procedure rooms, expanded fluoroscopy imaging, and new pass-through scope processors and drying cabinets. The three distinct zones of the PACU, procedure rooms, and scope processing rooms are clearly defined.
The suite utilizes BWH’s main design standards for furniture and finishes while subtly incorporating new elements to provide a distinct, modern look. Subtle tones of blue reinforce the feel of a calming environment. The PACU includes linear and perimeter lighting around the core to provide comfortable lighting for patients in stretchers. The curved angles in the soffits create clear wayfinding for patients to the two nurse stations. A floor pattern provides aesthetic interest and visual separation for walking pathways and storage. Unique, curved lighting was also an important visual component in the design of the waiting area and guides patients’ entry to the PACU.
The suite consists of four procedure rooms, two mobile fluoroscopy procedure rooms, and two fixed fluoroscopy rooms specifically designed for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures, making a total of eight procedure rooms. The design of all the procedure rooms starts with an equipment and monitor boom positioned at the center of the room. A procedural zone with LED fixtures provides either normal lighting or green lighting to reduce perceived light levels and enhance the visibility of procedural monitors, while also increasing overall lighting levels in the room.
The healthcare studio at MP is dedicated to enhancing both the patient and caregiver experiences through a blend of technical expertise and thoughtful design. An experienced team prioritizes strategic project management and architectural innovation to ensure projects not only meet but exceed expectations. Designs emphasize natural light, intuitive wayfinding, welcoming public spaces, and state-of-the-art clinical planning. Efficient work environments are created that are easy to maintain, address today’s challenges, and prepare for future needs.
“Our design process centers around prioritizing patient and caregiver safety, comfort, and functionality,” said Edward Marcey, AIA, healthcare studio leader at Margulies Perruzzi. “We are committed to meeting the needs of our clients, and we are grateful that the team at Brigham & Women’s Hospital entrusted us with their projects.”
The project team included:
- Architecture and Interior Design: Margulies Perruzzi
- Owner’s Project Manager: Leggat McCall Properties
- General Contractor/Construction Management: Walsh Brothers
- MEP Engineer: BR+A
- Code Consultant: Code Red
- Structural Engineer: McNamara Salvia
- Exterior Structural Engineer: SGH
- Lighting Design: Reflex Lighting
- Low Voltage Design: Indigo
- Acoustical Consultant: Acentech
Principal and partner promoted to president in strategic leadership transition
BOSTON, MA – January 7, 2024 – Margulies Perruzzi (MP), one of New England’s most highly regarded architectural and interior design firms, is proud to announce the promotion of Nathan Turner, AIA, LEED AP to president. This appointment recognizes Turner’s over 25 years of dedication to the firm, leadership, and commitment to advancing MP’s mission of creating tailored built environments that promote client success and support their employees and the communities they serve.
In his new role, Turner will continue to work closely with the firm’s partners, Daniel Perruzzi, AIA, LEED AP, Janet Morra, AIA, LEED AP, Caitlin Greenwood, AIA, and Jenna Meyers, IIDA, NCIDQ, LEED AP to manage the firm. Turner will oversee projects, manage staff and client relations, and drive the firm forward.
“Margulies Perruzzi has always been focused on designing with purpose for the human experience, and we are passionate about our staff, our clients, and our dedication to giving back to our local community,” said Daniel Perruzzi. “Nate exemplifies these values and will continue the firm’s growth to keep up with the ever-changing needs of our clients.”
“I am honored to lead Margulies Perruzzi and take this responsibility seriously,” said Nathan Turner. “Having been with the firm for the past 25 years, I have had the unique opportunity to witness its evolution through various challenges and successes. I look forward to continuing the important work of fostering innovation, empowering our team, and leading by example.”
Turner shared his vision, stating, “MP will remain true to the values on which we were built almost 37 years ago. I will continue to collaborate closely with our partners to ensure we provide thoughtful architecture and interior design, focusing on relationships we have built locally that have expanded our opportunities nationally. Together, we will support this step forward to ensure that MP is not only set up for success now but also in the future, remaining a trusted partner.”
About Margulies Perruzzi
Margulies Perruzzi (MP) is an award-winning architectural and interior design firm based in New England. The firm consists of a collaborative team specializing in workplace, science & technology, healthcare, new buildings & renovations, and mixed-use developments. Their team’s unique blend of creativity and technical expertise enables them to deliver enduring and functional designs tailored to any budget. MP creates spaces and places that benefit users and drive clients to achieve success. For more information, visit mparchitectsboston.com.
Congratulations to Nate Turner, Caitlin Greenwood, Jenna Meyers, and Josh White featured in New England Real Estate Journal’s Ones to Watch – Industry Leaders!
It is finally here — the 10th edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code (780CMR). The highly anticipated code change has been formally approved and is now in effect as of October 11, 2024.
The 10th edition is based on the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with state specific amendments. Since the 9th edition was based on the 2018 IBC, this current update will effectively capture two versions of IBC changes. To help with the alignment of current design practices and new codes, there will be a concurrency period allowing either version to be used for a limited time. Projects will be able to use either the 9th or 10th editions of 780CMR until January 1, 2025. After January 1, 2025, all projects will need to submit based on the 10th edition codes only.
Code updates often prompt questions about changes in design approach, testing methodology, and compliance paths, especially if they incur additional costs to a project. While new construction code requirements are straight forward, an existing building requires an understanding of potential challenges to help with evolving market demands and project feasibility aspects.
Existing buildings are often constructed with an initial use group in mind. Since usage may change over time, it is important to understand what a structure was originally designed for as much as it is helpful to know what it is being currently used for. Changes in use often trigger a review of multiple aspects of building infrastructure, ranging from health and safety to energy efficiency.
A use change could therefore impact egress calculations, fire ratings, and plumbing fixture requirements, just to name a few. The latest version of the building code includes expanded guidance, including expanding lists on institutional uses. It should be noted that some of these require additional structural review or upgrades such as addressing seismic reinforcing for compliance.
In some cases, a change in use may require an addition or certain amount of alteration to a facility. It is important to define the percentage of the work area early to confirm the level of building alteration. Depending on project scope, compliance with new construction requirements or testing of existing elements may be necessary. As a continuation of a due-diligence effort, an egress and occupancy load calculation should be reviewed since there were some changes to the 2018 IBC that are now being formally implemented.
Important Change in Occupancy Rules
The 10th edition has a notable change in occupancy area calculations with business use changing from 100 SF to 150 SF per person. This simple change would alter a maximum allowable load in a 10,500 SF space from 105 down to 70. This may still be permissible with other factors and design considerations such as appropriate egress pathway sizing that includes appropriately sized doors and stairs, but it should still be noted.
As sustainable construction grows, the focus on carbon footprint for both existing and new buildings continues to evolve. To help with this, there is a significant expansion of construction type IV, which had historically been thought of as heavy timber construction but has expanded to include definitions and methodologies of Mass Timber construction and includes information for sub-types A, B, and C. This is important since any additions to existing structures may now have additional compliance path options.
Additional elements for consideration are the insulation and vapor barrier aspects of wall and roof assemblies. While some of these have already been captured in the energy stretch codes, the 10th edition base code now raises the minimal amounts required for certain conditions. Accommodating for the additional dimension inboard or outboard should be understood.
All the code changes put Massachusetts in a better place to address the current needs of our built surroundings, balancing the needs of life safety, public health, and sustainability. However, it will still be up to project teams to ensure that the triggers and dimensional changes created by these changes are understood early on in a project as we adapt to the new codes.
Lab Design spoke to Jane Kepros, LEED GA, the director of lab programming at Margulies Perruzzi about her career journey, professional advice, and hobbies.
Q: How did you get started in your career? Did you major in your field in college, get an internship, switch careers mid-stream, etc.?
A: I have had an interest in art and architecture since childhood. That interest evolved into engineering and science as I grew older. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering and got a job at a small pharmaceutical start-up after college.
I worked there for eight years and during that time had the opportunity to wear many hats. My main role was working in our research biology labs, mostly doing molecular and cell biology studies. But my group also went through two lab moves and I helped with the equipment layouts and getting the labs set up and ready when we moved in. I was on the site safety committee, helping learn, share, and enforce safety measures in our labs. I was part of our celebrations team and got very involved in planning and participating in events and building our company culture.
While still working in the pharmaceutical industry, I started taking evening architecture classes at Boston Architectural Center (now named Boston Architectural College) for fun. When I decided it was time for something new in my career, I decided to check the job postings on the Boston Society of Architects website. By sheer luck, I stumbled upon an advertisement from a small, boutique architecture firm looking for a Lab Planner. In the advertisement, they indicated they were seeking either an experienced architect with ten plus years of lab planning experience or a scientist without architecture experience, willing to be trained in lab planning. I had never heard of lab planning, but I felt like it would be the perfect fit for me.
I ended up applying for and accepting that job. I had an amazing mentor, who was a former scientist turned architect, that I worked with for over seven years. She taught me so much.
Thirteen years after changing careers, working with over 80 clients, and being involved in over 160 projects, I still feel like I am learning new things every day.
Q: What is the best piece of professional advice you have received?
A: One piece of professional (and life) advice that resonates with me is to be empathetic. Our industry requires a huge amount of collaboration among team members. Sometimes, a team member might be having a bad day or be distracted by something else going on in their life, and not be as focused or engaged as usual. Sometimes, you may need to collaborate with someone new in their role or new to the process, and you must be patient with their questions. Sometimes, you may need to work with someone who may not be a native speaker of the same language as you, and you must listen (and potentially clarify) when they use terminology differently from how you might use it. Taking the time to listen and relate has only been helpful in my career.
Q: What is one important skill you think that all lab design experts should have?
A: A sense of perspective. At the end of the day, remember that you are designing a space for your client. You are not going to be working in that space, they will. You are not going to be maintaining that space, they are. Just because another client asked for something in their space, does not mean that all clients want that, even if their program seems very similar on the surface. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that the space is functional, safe, and that the client is happy with the end result.
Q: What’s a common misconception about your job?
A: That lab programming and lab planning are the same thing. Lab programming is making sure you have all the necessary puzzle pieces ready to go, and lab planning is figuring out how to put the puzzle together. I do both and take pride in my ability to work through challenging programs in creative ways.
Q: What kinds of hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?
A: I love learning new skills and working on new projects. I especially enjoy crafting and sewing and have made many award-winning costumes for various events, as well as functional items, such as traditional leather mittens and mukluks for snowshoeing. I enjoy sporting events, volunteering, travel, theatre, music, hoppy beer, and good food. I spend many weekends each year camping or hiking around New England.
Director of Science Strategy Kerrie Julian discusses how the new building code impacts landlords and life sciences tenants.
High-hazard areas, often referred to as “H-rooms,” allow scientists to conduct research, and companies to manufacture, process, or store different types of hazardous substances in quantities greater than what is permitted in standard control areas. Control areas have been established in the International Building Code (IBC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to limit the number of hazardous materials that are used in a space to keep the occupants of the space, and adjacent spaces, safe. As you go vertically up in a building, control areas increasingly restrict the amount of these materials allowed in the space. This is because higher up in a building, it is more difficult for the local emergency teams to control the hazards, such as for a fire department to contain a large fire when their ladders cannot reach the floor where it is located.
There are different types of high-hazard spaces, classified by the IBC as H-1 through H-5. These classifications are based on the types of materials used in them and the hazards that are present. No matter the classification, high-hazard spaces can add substantial cost to a project, so their use is often limited to areas critical to a company’s business operations.
Why Companies Need High-Hazard Space
Different industries and site types utilize high-hazard spaces to perform functions critical to their business operations. For instance, medicinal chemists working in pharmaceutical laboratories often require these spaces to store larger quantities of flammable liquids for their experiments to proceed efficiently. Central chemical storage rooms, classified as high-hazard spaces, may free up more allowance for in-use chemicals across a floor or within a building or suite.
Manufacturing facilities often designate parts of their facility to high hazard working areas to ensure their process is happening safely, minimizing risk to their employees and avoiding disruptions to their production. Raw materials can be stored in high hazard areas as well.
Hazard Categories
The IBC classification of high hazard space is a numerical system H-1 through H-5. This is often considered to be a 5-level ranked numbering system, like the category ratings assigned to hurricanes or tornados, but that is only partially true. The first three levels, H-1, H-2, H-3, do represent similar hazards in decreasing severity, but H-4 and H-5 are for different categories of hazards altogether.
The differences among the levels include:
- H-1 spaces contain materials with detonation potential.
- H-2 spaces contain materials that promote accelerated burning.
- H-3 spaces contain materials that are easily combustible or pose a physical hazard.
- H-4 spaces contain materials that pose a health hazard, including toxic and corrosive chemicals.
- H-5 spaces are specially classified to contain materials typically used in semiconductor fabrication facilities.
All these hazardous materials can cause significant damage and risk in the event of an incident, so extreme care should be used when designing for any level of high-hazard space.
Determining a Spaces Hazard Level
Before entering lease negotiations, a company should assess whether they require high-hazard space, since not all properties can accommodate such spaces. The company’s Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) department, along with the end users and design team, should work with a code consultant to confirm the types of hazardous materials used in the facility. Sometimes, a hazard analysis is necessary to better understand the materials being stored and used. This analysis can also help identify ways to make the process safer or more efficient.
A local fire department or other city official may need to be involved in the design process to address any safety concerns early and prevent delays during the permitting and construction process. If a space needs to accommodate multiple hazards, the code requirements for the most restrictive level must be followed, and appropriate segregation of hazardous materials must be managed.
Cost and Schedule Implications of High-Hazard Spaces
The construction requirements for maintaining safety in high-hazard spaces are very strict and go beyond those for a typical laboratory, manufacturing, or storage space. Architectural elements such as fire-resistant walls, ceilings, and flooring materials are required to separate hazardous spaces from adjacent areas, and special finishes are required within the space itself.
Shorter egress routes are a requirement for high-hazard spaces, which limits their placement within a building. In some cases, they may even need to be situated on an exterior wall. High-hazard spaces are limited in size, usually to no more than 500 square feet. Both new and existing buildings often require modifications to the construction of the space to comply with the requirements for a high-hazard space.
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection considerations are also more complex than for non-hazard spaces. Higher amounts of ventilation, as well as dedicated exhaust, may be required. Explosion-proof electrical devices are frequently required due to the possibility that chemical vapors could ignite from an electrical arc. There must be adequate containment to capture any potentially contaminated water if the sprinkler system goes off.
When creating high-hazard spaces, having an experienced design and construction team onboard is critical. To successfully design and construct the space, it is important for end users to provide as much information as possible during the programming and design phases. By doing so, any additional costs for special fixtures, finishes, equipment, etc. can be identified early on, and the construction schedule can be streamlined to accommodate long-lead items and special installations.
Congratulations to MITRE for the completion of their BlueTech Lab! We are honored to have been part of the team as the architect for this project.
The MITRE BlueTech Lab is a state-of-the-art, indoor maritime test facility and collaborative laboratory for innovators and researchers to advance maritime technology, strengthen climate resilience, and increase national security and safety.
The MITRE BlueTech Lab was recently featured on Chronicle!
In this video, Principal Marilyn Shen discusses how to design for inclusivity.