Work Category v2: Science + Technology

One Canal by Breakthrough

Breakthrough Properties, a leading global developer, owner, and operator of life sciences real estate, acquired One Canal in 2021 to transform it into a world-class life science research center catering to biotech companies in the heart of Cambridge’s renowned innovation hub.

Originally built in 1983 and recently renovated in 2015, One Canal’s goal was to reposition it as a new, modern lab and office space. This transformation emphasizes not only high-quality architectural and interior design, exceptional hospitality, and exemplary operational excellence but also a strong commitment to sustainability, as evidenced by its pursuit of LEED Gold, Fitwel, and WELL certifications.

After providing comprehensive due diligence support, TRIA began designing the building with a new lobby, fitness center, restrooms, storage room, and loading dock. It also required new infrastructure that could support future tenants’ scientific research, including a new roof infrastructure, a new first-floor base building mechanical room, an expanded first-floor electrical room, new lab shafts supporting central utilities and exhaust air, a new freight elevator, loading dock expansion,  lab and office pipe chases, and more.  TRIA continued with the fit-out of speculative suites.

Influenced by the adjacent Lechmere Canal Park, the hospitality-centric design concept focuses on blending art and science into modern yet natural sophistication. In addition to the flexible spec lab and office layouts, where scientists can glimpse the Museum of Science and Charles River, the amenities include a modern lounge, collaboration spaces on two floors, a unique winter garden that provides a serene escape, and a high-quality fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

project location

Cambridge, MA

Project size

112,000  SF

services

Building Repositioning
Planning & Programming
Lab Design
Renderings
Interior Design
Sustainable Design

Breakthrough Properties, a leading global developer, owner, and operator of life sciences real estate, acquired One Canal in 2021 to transform it into a world-class life science research center catering to biotech companies in the heart of Cambridge’s renowned innovation hub.

Originally built in 1983 and recently renovated in 2015, One Canal’s goal was to reposition it as a new, modern lab and office space. This transformation emphasizes not only high-quality architectural and interior design, exceptional hospitality, and exemplary operational excellence but also a strong commitment to sustainability, as evidenced by its pursuit of LEED Gold, Fitwel, and WELL certifications.

After providing comprehensive due diligence support, TRIA began designing the building with a new lobby, fitness center, restrooms, storage room, and loading dock. It also required new infrastructure that could support future tenants’ scientific research, including a new roof infrastructure, a new first-floor base building mechanical room, an expanded first-floor electrical room, new lab shafts supporting central utilities and exhaust air, a new freight elevator, loading dock expansion,  lab and office pipe chases, and more.  TRIA continued with the fit-out of speculative suites.

Influenced by the adjacent Lechmere Canal Park, the hospitality-centric design concept focuses on blending art and science into modern yet natural sophistication. In addition to the flexible spec lab and office layouts, where scientists can glimpse the Museum of Science and Charles River, the amenities include a modern lounge, collaboration spaces on two floors, a unique winter garden that provides a serene escape, and a high-quality fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

Via Separations

Via Separations, a climate-tech company, aims to promote a sustainable, resource-efficient future by eliminating energy usage in industrial processes. 

Focused on innovative filtration technology, Via’s space is mindful of its impact on its community.  The “Do More with Less” motto guided TRIA to fit out a workplace that is  “distilled to the simplest form.”  TRIA’s design preserves the existing natural materials in a 160-year-old, repositioned building while also providing employees with efficiency, adaptability, and comfort. Exposed wood columns, bricks and ceilings in the cafe, open office and collaboration areas showcase the beauty of the existing construction while also adhering to the company’s commitment to sustainability.  Designed as future-ready, Via can adjust to both anticipated and unforeseen changes, ensuring preparedness for rapid growth and expansion while advancing its research safely and effectively. 

TRIA provided solutions that encourage serendipitous moments for informal interactions. The collaborative space is divided into approximately 50% manufacturing, prototype, machine shop, and lab space, and 50% office, meeting and amenities spread over two floors.  Partnering with Columbia Construction, TRIA implemented a design-build schedule after extensive visioning and workplace strategy analysis. 

Project Location

Watertown, MA

Project Size

50,000 SF

Project services

Planning & Programming
Visioning
Interior Design

Via Separations, a climate-tech company, aims to promote a sustainable, resource-efficient future by eliminating energy usage in industrial processes. 

Focused on innovative filtration technology, Via’s space is mindful of its impact on its community.  The “Do More with Less” motto guided TRIA to fit out a workplace that is  “distilled to the simplest form.”  TRIA’s design preserves the existing natural materials in a 160-year-old, repositioned building while also providing employees with efficiency, adaptability, and comfort. Exposed wood columns, bricks and ceilings in the cafe, open office and collaboration areas showcase the beauty of the existing construction while also adhering to the company’s commitment to sustainability.  Designed as future-ready, Via can adjust to both anticipated and unforeseen changes, ensuring preparedness for rapid growth and expansion while advancing its research safely and effectively. 

TRIA provided solutions that encourage serendipitous moments for informal interactions. The collaborative space is divided into approximately 50% manufacturing, prototype, machine shop, and lab space, and 50% office, meeting and amenities spread over two floors.  Partnering with Columbia Construction, TRIA implemented a design-build schedule after extensive visioning and workplace strategy analysis. 

ActNano

Actnano, a global leader in PFAS-free nanocoatings for automotive and consumer electronics, develops innovative technology that provides advanced protection from water and harsh environmental conditions. To accommodate the company’s increase in staff and customer growth, they needed a new global headquarters and state-of-the-art laboratory.

When repositioning a building previously used as a bank’s operations center for future science and technology tenants, TRIA collaborated with Berkeley Investments and actnano to assess potential options. This involved facilitating preliminary fit planning and program development. Once an option was approved, TRIA continued to provide full architectural and engineering services to this third-floor suite.

Collaborative, innovative and driven, the staff at actnano now enjoys working in one office that is modern and impressive. The amenity spaces intertwine opportunities for team collaborations and company-wide events. The plentiful natural lighting, scenic views, as well as natural elements and materials, underscore their commitment to offering sustainable products to their customers.

This new location expands actnano’s footprint tenfold and features an extensive array of development and testing equipment.

Design Highlight:

TRIA drew inspiration from actnano’s brand logo for crucial design elements. The distinctive blue hue serves as an accent throughout the office and laboratory areas, unifying them and enhancing the sense of a cohesive research community.  Additionally, the overlapping rectangles in the logo informed the sculptural wall treatment in the main corridor: three angled bump-outs introduce visual interest and dimension.

Project location

200 Exchange
Malden, MA

Project Size

22,200 SF

Services

Planning & Programming
Lab Design
Workplace Evaluation
Visioning
Interior Design

Actnano, a global leader in PFAS-free nanocoatings for automotive and consumer electronics, develops innovative technology that provides advanced protection from water and harsh environmental conditions. To accommodate the company’s increase in staff and customer growth, they needed a new global headquarters and state-of-the-art laboratory.

When repositioning a building previously used as a bank’s operations center for future science and technology tenants, TRIA collaborated with Berkeley Investments and actnano to assess potential options. This involved facilitating preliminary fit planning and program development. Once an option was approved, TRIA continued to provide full architectural and engineering services to this third-floor suite.

Collaborative, innovative and driven, the staff at actnano now enjoys working in one office that is modern and impressive. The amenity spaces intertwine opportunities for team collaborations and company-wide events. The plentiful natural lighting, scenic views, as well as natural elements and materials, underscore their commitment to offering sustainable products to their customers.

This new location expands actnano’s footprint tenfold and features an extensive array of development and testing equipment.

Design Highlight:

TRIA drew inspiration from actnano’s brand logo for crucial design elements. The distinctive blue hue serves as an accent throughout the office and laboratory areas, unifying them and enhancing the sense of a cohesive research community.  Additionally, the overlapping rectangles in the logo informed the sculptural wall treatment in the main corridor: three angled bump-outs introduce visual interest and dimension.

Ring Therapeutics

Launched in 2017, Ring Therapeutics created a discovery and development platform that aims to usher in a new programmable medicine by harnessing the natural human commensal virome. It is now building a rich portfolio of therapeutic candidates targeting several areas.

As pioneers of the next generation of gene therapy, Ring was ready for its own space in Cambridge to embark on its mission. The new headquarters needed to support the staff’s creativity, energetic commitment and forward-thinking science. In addition, the CEO’s appreciation for nature, Japanese architecture and Zen philosophy needed to be incorporated into the overall design.

When TRIA became involved in the project, the building had just been repositioned for lab use. The new configuration resulted in a floor plan resembling a horseshoe shape. This curve—and the company’s agenda of disruption in the gene therapy space—allowed us to bend the rules in office standards.  As you walk on the main path, you can serendipitously pass through each of the zones that address the office and lab needs: Pause, Agile, Converse and Refresh. Focusing on access to natural light, the floor plan strikes a balance between defined private places to retreat and think and comfortable public spaces that foster impromptu collaboration and team connections.

Curved pathways, circular lighting, and rounded agile furniture provide a fun, lively, and engaging workspace. Felt baffling on the ceiling, playful lounge furniture, and oversized drum pendants modernize the space as creative innovation comes to life.

Our palette draws inspiration from the textures, colors, and tones found in Kyoto’s temple gardens to provide more context. We’ve strategically incorporated pops of color to define specific zones, such as feature walls, ceiling baffles, and furniture. These vibrant accents also take cues from Ring’s brand colors.

Ring Therapeutics CEO Tuyen Ong, MD, MBA. said, “I’ve appreciated the collaborative partnership with TRIA as we set out to create a space combining modern design with traditional Zen philosophy. It’s been tremendously rewarding to bring this to life and we hope this space will continue to inspire and energize us in our important mission.”

For more behind the scenes details, please click here to read our feature on The IIDA Designer Monologues.

Project location

Cambridge, MA

Project Size

65,000 GSF

Services

Planning & Programming
Lab Design
Workplace Evaluation
Visioning
Renderings
Video Flythrough
Interior Design

Launched in 2017, Ring Therapeutics created a discovery and development platform that aims to usher in a new programmable medicine by harnessing the natural human commensal virome. It is now building a rich portfolio of therapeutic candidates targeting several areas.

As pioneers of the next generation of gene therapy, Ring was ready for its own space in Cambridge to embark on its mission. The new headquarters needed to support the staff’s creativity, energetic commitment and forward-thinking science. In addition, the CEO’s appreciation for nature, Japanese architecture and Zen philosophy needed to be incorporated into the overall design.

When TRIA became involved in the project, the building had just been repositioned for lab use. The new configuration resulted in a floor plan resembling a horseshoe shape. This curve—and the company’s agenda of disruption in the gene therapy space—allowed us to bend the rules in office standards.  As you walk on the main path, you can serendipitously pass through each of the zones that address the office and lab needs: Pause, Agile, Converse and Refresh. Focusing on access to natural light, the floor plan strikes a balance between defined private places to retreat and think and comfortable public spaces that foster impromptu collaboration and team connections.

Curved pathways, circular lighting, and rounded agile furniture provide a fun, lively, and engaging workspace. Felt baffling on the ceiling, playful lounge furniture, and oversized drum pendants modernize the space as creative innovation comes to life.

Our palette draws inspiration from the textures, colors, and tones found in Kyoto’s temple gardens to provide more context. We’ve strategically incorporated pops of color to define specific zones, such as feature walls, ceiling baffles, and furniture. These vibrant accents also take cues from Ring’s brand colors.

Ring Therapeutics CEO Tuyen Ong, MD, MBA. said, “I’ve appreciated the collaborative partnership with TRIA as we set out to create a space combining modern design with traditional Zen philosophy. It’s been tremendously rewarding to bring this to life and we hope this space will continue to inspire and energize us in our important mission.”

For more behind the scenes details, please click here to read our feature on The IIDA Designer Monologues.

Orna Therapeutics

Orna Therapeutics is reconstructing the way diseases are treated with new technology of fully engineered circular RNA’s. They wanted their new headquarters to offer the ability to change locations, views and postures for its dynamic, informal and collaborative culture.

The new space offers a 50/50 office & lab split, covering two floors at 500 Forge in Watertown, MA. Taking cues from their scientific methodology
and brand logo, TRIA incorporated circular motifs in lighting and pops of color that serve to guide staff to different collaboration points. Natural light pours into its largest zone, the café, where employees can gather and socialize. Within the office areas, paths lead to more open support areas as well as many closed offices offering acoustical and visual privacy.

Project Location

Watertown, MA

Project Size

70,000 SF

Services

Lab Programming & Planning
Visioning

Orna Therapeutics is reconstructing the way diseases are treated with new technology of fully engineered circular RNA’s. They wanted their new headquarters to offer the ability to change locations, views and postures for its dynamic, informal and collaborative culture.

The new space offers a 50/50 office & lab split, covering two floors at 500 Forge in Watertown, MA. Taking cues from their scientific methodology and brand logo, TRIA incorporated circular motifs in lighting and pops of color that serve to guide staff to different collaboration points. Natural light pours into its largest zone, the cafe, where employees can gather and socialize. Within the office areas, paths lead to more open support areas as well as many closed offices offering acoustical and visual privacy.

Vigil Neuroscience

Vigil Neuroscience is bringing the world’s first microglia-focused therapeutics to patients who suffer from rare and neurodegenerative diseases. While transforming the lives of patients, the staff wanted a robust and focused lab and office work space but also one that promoted unity and conversation. TRIA offered a diversity of spaces that fostered collaboration and community without losing sight of the importance of acoustic privacy to allow for concentrated work.

Across from the boardroom, a 3D interactive textile board became an opportunity to fulfill the CEO’s vision of engaging staff, visitors and patients to feel the positive effects of their daily work.

The lab space includes microscope room, tissue culture room, holding/procedure room and a glass wash/autoclave room. It also
satisfies LEED equivalent requirements in a newly constructed building in Arsenal Park.

Project Location

Watertown, MA

Project Size

19,000 SF

Services

Lab Programming & Planning
Visioning

Vigil Neuroscience is bringing the world’s first microglia-focused therapeutics to patients who suffer from rare and neurodegenerative diseases. While transforming the lives of patients, the staff wanted a robust and focused lab and office work space but also one that promoted unity and conversation.

Located in Boylston Properties Arsenal Yards Development, the light filled space offers sweeping  views of the Boston skyline. TRIA offered a diversity of spaces that fostered collaboration and community without losing sight of the importance of acoustic privacy to allow for concentrated work.

Across from the boardroom, a 3D interactive textile board became an opportunity to fulfill the CEO’s vision of engaging staff, visitors and patients to feel the positive effects of their daily work. The lab space includes microscope room, tissue culture room, holding/procedure room and a glass wash/autoclave room. It also satisfies LEED equivalent requirements in a newly constructed building in Arsenal Park.

Abata Therapeutics

When Abata realized that they were outgrowing their workplace in Cambridge, they capitalized on an opportunity to move its operations to Watertown, which allowed them to plan for further growth. The new construction at Arsenal Park provided them with summer views of the treetops and winter views of the Charles River. Because Abata is translated as “quiet place of peace,” the TRIA team utilized design details with this understated brand culture. The new tranquil office features an open concept with lots of natural light, preserved moss, and organic shapes to mimic the lines in the Abata logo. The interior lab glass walls feature glazing to provide semi privacy, while the exterior lab windows share views of Arsenal Park.

Project Location

Watertown, MA

Project size

24,000 SF

Project Type

Programming & Planning
Visioning
Interior Design

When Abata realized that they were outgrowing their workplace in Cambridge, they capitalized on an opportunity to move its operations to Watertown, which allowed them to plan for further growth. The new construction at Boylston Properties Arsenal Yards development provided them with summer views of the treetops and winter views of the Charles River. Because Abata is translated as “quiet place of peace,” the TRIA team utilized design details with this understated brand culture. The new tranquil office features an open concept with lots of natural light, preserved moss, and organic shapes to mimic the lines in the Abata logo. The interior lab glass walls feature glazing to provide semi privacy, while the exterior lab windows share views of Arsenal Park.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company, located in Boston’s Innovation District, that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases, with multiple approved medicines that treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF,  and has several ongoing clinical and research programs in CF.

After a complete programming and planning effort to define Vertex’s requirement and workplace strategies, TRIA provided architectural services for The Jeffrey Leiden Center One for Cell and Genetic Therapies. The process, completed throughout the pandemic, was led by our lab-focused architect, who successfully implemented over 60 building changes to the original core and shell, which was originally designed for multiple tenants.

Achieving LEED Platinum certification, this new state-of-the-art facility, a “Workplace of the Future”, features labs and manufacturing operations. For the remaining 40% of the office space, Vertex utilizes neighborhood-based office space with quick huddle areas, large and small conference rooms, a large cafeteria with room for informal company meetings, a rooftop with sweeping views of the harbor and city, a fitness room, an IT bar, coffee bar and several kitchenettes.

This project was the topic of a panel discussion at  BisNow’s March 31, 2022 Boston Life Science Summit as a Case Study, Enhancing Urban Manufacturing.  To learn more, see our Insights. 

Location

Boston, MA

Size

268,000 SF

Services

New Buildout
Lab Design
Process Architecture
Workplace Evaluation
Visioning
Programming and Planning
Renderings
Sustainable Design
Interior Design

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company, located in Boston’s Innovation District, that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases, with multiple approved medicines that treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF) and has several ongoing clinical and research programs in CF.

After a complete programming and planning effort to define Vertex’s requirements and workplace strategies, TRIA provided architectural services for The Jeffrey Leiden Center One for Cell and Genetic Therapies. The process, completed throughout the pandemic, was led by our lab-focused architect who successfully implemented changes from an original multi-tenant design to a single one.

Achieving LEED Platinum certification, this new state-of-the-art facility, a “Workplace of the Future”, features labs and manufacturing operations. For the remaining 40% of the office space, Vertex utilizes neighborhood-based office space with quick huddle areas, large and small conference rooms, a large cafeteria with room for informal company meetings, a rooftop with sweeping views of the harbor and city, a fitness room, an IT bar, coffee bar and several kitchenettes.

This project was the topic of a panel discussion at  BisNow’s March 31, 2022 Boston Life Science Summit as a Case Study, Enhancing Urban Manufacturing.  To learn more, see our Insights. 

Abcam

TRIA provided design services for Abcam’s new lab and office fit-out located in Waltham, MA. Through extensive visioning with the Abcam team, their new Waltham headquarters was designed to promote an open and collaborative team environment. Abcam’s science is on display throughout the office and café. Using glass-paned walls to separate the spaces preserves their vision of transparency. The open office features several huddle rooms and conference spaces, promoting a collaborative atmosphere that offers flexibility and connectivity. Lounge spaces and amenity spaces with ample seating encourage officewide communication, as well as areas for the Abcam team to recharge.

The new headquarters features a clean, minimal color palette, vibrantly accented by various pieces of furniture. Walls and window-film featuring sleek, geometric patterns offer visual interest, while also providing a visual denotation between office and amenity spaces.

LOCATION

Waltham, MA

SIZE

70,000 SF

SERVICES

Tenant Improvements
Workplace Evaluation
Visioning
Interior Design
Visioning
Programming and Planning
Lab Design

Abcam identifies, develops, and provides high-quality biological reagents and tools essential in a wide range of fields and applications, including drug discovery, diagnostics, and basic research. Abcam’s mission is to serve life scientists so they can achieve their mission, faster.

Through extensive visioning with the Abcam team, their new Waltham headquarters was designed to promote an open and collaborative team environment. Abcam’s science is on display throughout the office and café. Using glass-paned walls to separate the spaces preserves their vision of transparency. The open office features several huddle rooms and conference spaces, promoting a collaborative atmosphere that offers flexibility and connectivity. Lounge spaces and amenity spaces with ample seating encourage officewide communication, as well as areas for the Abcam team to recharge.

The new headquarters features a clean, minimal color palette, vibrantly accented by various pieces of furniture. Walls and window film featuring sleek, geometric patterns offer visual interest while providing a visible denotation between the office and amenity spaces.

Arranta Bio

Arranta Bio provides novel solutions to clients for advanced therapy process development and manufacturing.  Their expertise and ability to provide end-to-end solutions helps guide therapeutic products through the clinical journey to the commercial.

In their new Watertown facility, Arranta Bio needed a state-of-the-art facility flexibly engineered as a multi-product facility to accommodate a range of manufacturing processes across single-use technology platforms.

TRIA provided design services for the multi-phase renovation and fit-out of a former warehouse space into this cGMP development and manufacturing facility. Designed for full process stages along with lyophilization and capsule filling, all new process equipment and building utility equipment were installed along with new clean utility generation. The facility is configured to allow for expansion to larger scale production as demand increases.

The rear portion building features a 9,000 SF research and development lab suite and a 6,000 SF quality control lab suite on the first floor, with conference rooms, huddle rooms and a large forum/kitchen. The front portion of the building serves as the lobby/reception area and it includes lounge seating, kitchenette, conference rooms, offices, and huddle rooms for use by visitors to the facility. Reflecting Arranta Bio’s brand, the look is modern with navy and teal accent colors used throughout the space, helping to create a holistic, cohesive design between lab and office. In addition, windows were added on the second floor to bring natural light into the offices and storefront windows were added to the front office.

Location

Watertown, MA

Size

80,000 SF

SERVICES

Building Repositioning
Visioning
Programming and Planning
Interior Design
Partial New Construction

Arranta Bio provides novel solutions to clients for advanced therapy process development and manufacturing.  Their expertise and ability to provide end-to-end solutions helps guide therapeutic products through the clinical journey to the commercial.

In their new Watertown facility, Arranta Bio needed a state-of-the-art facility flexibly engineered as a multi-product facility to accommodate a range of manufacturing processes across single-use technology platforms.

TRIA provided design services for the multi-phase renovation and fit-out of a former warehouse space into this cGMP development and manufacturing facility. Designed for full process stages along with lyophilization and capsule filling, all new process equipment and building utility equipment were installed along with new clean utility generation. The facility is configured to allow for expansion to larger scale production as demand increases.

The rear portion building features a 9,000 SF research and development lab suite and a 6,000 SF quality control lab suite on the first floor, with conference rooms, huddle rooms and a large forum/kitchen. The front portion of the building serves as the lobby/reception area and it includes lounge seating, kitchenette, conference rooms, offices, and huddle rooms for use by visitors to the facility. Reflecting Arranta Bio’s brand, the look is modern with navy and teal accent colors used throughout the space, helping to create a holistic, cohesive design between lab and office. In addition, windows were added on the second floor to bring natural light into the offices and storefront windows were added to the front office.