Hacin's design team worked with BioMed Realty, a leading provider of real estate solutions for the life science and technology industries, on the interior and architecture of their East Coast headquarters, due for completion in 2022. Originally hired by BMR to renovate existing space in a nearby office building, Hacin went on to assist them in relocating their growing Cambridge presence to the recently completed 314 Main Street, located at the intersection of innovation in Kendall Square, at the gateway to MIT. Hacin designed the vacant, open 14th floor as a warm, organic and inviting workspace with natural materials and welcoming amenities.
The offices of BioMed Realty, a portfolio company of Blackstone, required both private and shared workspaces. The design team used the building's unique angular footprint and glass exterior to define the programme by using a rectangular 'pinwheel' concept. The floor has 360-degree views of Cambridge, Boston and the Charles River, and individual private offices occupy defined areas of floor-to-ceiling windows. Bespoke shared workspaces, additional offices, multiple meeting rooms and common areas fill the rest of the floor plan, all enjoying striking views and abundant shared natural light. A large, prominent meeting room visible upon entry from the lift lobby has a 32' telescopic door and frames a stunning panorama of Boston's Back Bay skyline.
The warm oak colour palette and decorative lighting fixtures, combined with functional chairs and tables, are inspired by the aesthetic of a catering establishment and bring an increasingly homely feel to the workplace. Three kitchenettes are located upstairs, promoting a residential aesthetic and supporting the company's enthusiastic coffee culture. Natural materials feature prominently in the design, using wood, wool and felt to convey texture and improve the acoustics of the space. The varied streaks of light entering the office from the windows at all times of the day inspired some of the architectural forms, and BioMed's brand identity is reflected throughout the space in a monochrome palette with accents of the company's signature deep blue.
The art hanging throughout the office complements the interior concept and comes from Art in Giving, an organisation that raises funds for cancer research through the sale of art. Lighting, materials and acoustic design elements were carefully selected with sustainability in mind and the office has achieved LEED Gold status, as has the building it is housed in. This project marks the most recent collaboration in the long and multifaceted history of H+A and BioMed Realty, having collaborated on a series of commercial projects in previous years, including Glass House Restaurant and Bar, the port location of Flour Bakery + Café in Cambridge and the Cambridge headquarters, showroom and laboratories for hair care company Living Proof.
Team:
Architect: Hacin
Photography: Trent Bell Photography
