MP provided design services for renovations and workplace strategy for Pegasystem’s headquarters in Cambridge, MA. The 4th floor expansion was part of a multi-phase construction project, allowing Pega to implement their new workplace strategy and create a technology-enriched executive briefing center, boardroom, and reception area. The design for the 4th floor fit-out addresses Pega’s desire to shift their workforce to an agile work environment to better support the way their employees work.
Multiple work points were deployed that support a variety of workstyles, including quiet, focused, and collaborative work. Wellness features were incorporated throughout the space, including vegetation, organic design elements, access to an outdoor patio, and sit/stand desking. Both digital and analog collaboration tools can be found throughout the workspace, improving their employee’s ability to collaborate from anywhere, as well as stay attuned with events throughout the Pega network of offices.
Sustainability
This project is certified LEED-Gold.
Avalon Bay’s move to the 20th floor of the Federal Reserve building was symbolic of the substantial success the company has had in the real estate investment market. Even with a high percentage of offices (versus workstations), leadership was committed to assuring that everyone had full visual access to both the harbor and downtown. This was achieved partly by creating a café immediately adjacent to the reception area, so that anyone entering or leaving the space could enjoy the window line. The adjacent training room has a moveable glass partition so full-company gatherings and hosted events can take advantage of the view.
One particularly striking design element is the treatment of the ceilings. To reinforce the size of the open spaces, ceiling clouds float below the exposed structure, creating a dramatic effect of height and a modern and elegant feel. Coupled with stunning artwork and graphics, sparkling light fixtures and subtle variances of color and texture, the result is a breathtakingly beautiful workplace for a company that values design.
Margulies Perruzzi was engaged to consolidate this client’s space from two floors to one, designing a more collaborative, team environment. The reconfiguration eliminated a communicating stair between floors 13 and 14 and created adequate space on floor 14 so that the client was able to sub-lease the lower floor. A large conference room opposite the main entrance was reconfigured into a new reception and waiting area.
The design team repurposed the infilled stair space, adjacent conference room, and two cubicle areas into an open collaboration space, a conference room, an all-hands meeting area, and large pantry. Striking red accent walls are an ode to the former large, curved glass stairway which provided access between the two floors. The renovation also created five meeting/huddle rooms, five offices, and two large conference rooms.
The elevator lobby was upgraded with textured panels, reflective ceilings, and linear LED lighting welcoming staff and guests to the new vibrant reception that celebrates views of Boston Harbor and seaport district. To update the office aesthetic, MP applied a new refreshed paint palette, new carpet, and wood tone LVT throughout. The renovation allowed for a contemporary and inspiring workspace for employees.
John Snow Inc. (JSI) provides research and consulting on healthcare to underserved people and communities around the world. MP redesigned their headquarters in Boston’s Seaport District to make better use of the space, converting the majority of large, private offices into flexible workstations. Additionally, MP identified the need for a welcoming common space and café.
The new design provides efficient space utilization and a flexible floor-plan that reflects how work is performed now and in the future. The reconfigured plan and new amenities add to the overall experience for staff and employees by providing the following:
Remaining offices have been relocated away from exterior windows to provide better access to daylight.
A new café is a significant upgrade that can now accommodate multiple uses.
A green, living wall is provided to promote a sense of well-being through biophilic design.
Updated mechanical and electrical systems provide greater comfort while also consuming far less energy.
Added a sound masking system to provide acoustical privacy in the much more open floor plan.
As long-standing supporters of local non-profit, Boston Scores, MP was pleased to provide design services for a new headquarters for their youth programs and staff offices.
After searching and studying several different properties, the organization partnered with the Salesian Boys and Girls Club of East Boston to provide renovations to an existing to building to create a shared space. This new space will provide staff offices, as well as an area for youth programs and a coach training room. Additionally, the project includes placing several high-end soccer fields nearby, complete with restrooms, a playground, outdoor classroom, walking path, and parking.
The new home for the organization will enable Boston Scores to more than double the number of youth served while enhancing the quality of the programs provided.
Other improvements will include adding an elevator to the existing Boys and Girls Club building to provide inclusive access to all three floors. The parking lot will also be reconstructed to provide more environmentally friendly storm water management and increased activity spaces for the area youth.
Sustainability
This project is certified LEED-Gold.
MP helped to relocate and consolidate our client’s headquarters from two existing locations to a new tower in Boston totaling over 400,000 SF on 15 floors. An extension of their move towards more open workstations, private offices are designed with all-glass fronts to increase visibility and promote interaction.
Observing that clients and visitors could be better accommodated in the new space, MP transformed the entire 31st floor into a main reception and conference center. Initially skeptical that this arrangement would result in a deserted floor, the client has been pleased by the success of the space, its continual activity and use, and most importantly the increase in meetings it has spurred.
The addition of highly equipped conference and meeting rooms in the space allows Boston staff members to easily communicate with their colleagues worldwide.
A new trading floor for the fixed-income trading group sits on a full raised floor which accommodates the extensive cabling required to power it.
The A/V requirements to support these areas was high. An operations room maintains support to the many specialized spaces like the conference floor. And the Information Technology backbone is supported by two stand-by generators along with a UPS system.
The integration of an extensive art collection was a consideration throughout the design. The desire to create maximum openness in order to take advantage of views was balanced carefully against providing appropriate wall space for hanging and viewing art.
The Jewish Community Center of Newton asked MP to develop concepts that would make the building both more welcoming and more secure. Our design features a renovated entrance and reconfigured lobby that includes expanded gathering areas around a fireplace. The new seating opens toward new windows looking at a landscaped courtyard, and includes a small shop, donor recognition walls, and stepped amphitheater seating. A major programmatic addition is a demonstration/teaching kitchen adjacent to a small café area overlooking the swimming pool. An entirely new security sequence increases JCC’s ability to easily allow badge-carrying members through security while helping appropriately screen visitors, whether individuals or large groups.
Driven by eminent domain requirements within the Village of Brookline, this project required the relocation of the senior administration and administrative support services of Brigham & Women’s physician organization to Needham. The new space enabled BWPO to also consolidate staff from three different locations into one centralized office. This included the call center group, which was accommodated into the plan. A training center was provided at the heart of the project with the flexibility to configure it as a large classroom or two smaller classrooms. The program also introduced a multipurpose collaboration hub that could function for impromptu team meetings, staff meetings, and as a location for catered events.
Retail financial services has undergone a complete transformation with the advent of digital customer access. Following the universal adoption of ATMs and then mobile apps, banks have all searched for the best way to maintain customer relationships, broaden their offerings, and enhance their connectivity to their customers. Branch banks have evolved into 3-D marketing tools, helping express each institution’s unique value proposition and culture.
As architects and designers, our task is to discover the best way to express each bank’s personality in a way that distinguishes it from the competition. Some tout their innovative technology, some their community involvement, others their unique financial instruments. Working hand-in-hand with marketing, HR, real estate/facilities, IT, and retail services we create environments that speak to the customers even in a highly volatile retail world.
The renovation to Signify’s Burlington office location consisted of over 55,000 square feet of useable area spread over three floors of an existing building. Due to industry-wide procurement constraints and the limited availability of space to work in, the project was completed in an overall phased approach. Margulies Perruzzi completed early bid packages to assist with long lead items and coordinated a phased construction plan to assist the construction management and client team. The majority of the area was completed and fully functional by Phase 1, allowing employees to move into the space and start working. The remaining support space and main visitor reception area was completed approximately three months later.
The Signify Burlington location consisted of research and development work areas as well as administrative and customer support staff spaces. The mixture of functions in the office space created planning and engineering challenges. Working with our engineering team, the client department leads, and drawing on our expansive workplace planning experience, we were able to create an elegant space that provides efficient workflow for employees.
