As a part of the renovation and expansion of Boston Scientific’s Global Headquarters, the Urology division’s R&D labs and office space underwent a complete transformation. Consolidating multiple labs that over time had become scattered throughout the building, the new state-of-the art labs are flexible, efficient, and adjacent to the researcher’s workspaces. Transparency into the labs facilitates monitoring and interaction between personnel while also allowing natural light to brighten spaces that had previously felt cut off from the exterior.
An important tenet of the design was the flexible infrastructure. Universal lighting, access to power and gasses, and mobile benches allow researchers to quickly and easily reconfigure as needed. This more “agile” approach to R&D increases innovation and productivity by removing the barriers fixed layouts may present, and by facilitating the sharing of expensive equipment to reduce duplication.
When industry leader Azenta Life Sciences decided to move their existing laboratory from Cambridge, MA to Waltham, MA, they sought out MP to facilitate the design of their relocated lab and administrative and support spaces.
The lab program consists of genetic analysis, sequencer, synthesizer, plasmid prep, oligo synthesis, and support spaces. MP, in conjunction with their team of engineers, tackled the task of providing innovative electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and structural solutions to support the client’s complex equipment in the new location. Infrastructure enhancements included the addition of new air handling units, exhaust fans, chemical waste treatment, and an emergency generator.
MP helped the client to visually connect the lab spaces to the adjacent office spaces using their branded color palette. The visual connection between open lab and support lab spaces as well as between open office, meeting, and working spaces is facilitated by the use of a glazed storefront system. This design concept allows the client to provide their employees with an innovative and interactive workspace as well as a space for respite.
