Work Category v2: Workplaces

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. 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. Located in Boylston Properties Arsenal Yards Development, the light filled space offers sweeping  views of the Boston skyline.

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. 

CRISPR Therapeutics

LOCATION

Framingham, MA

SIZE

45,000  SF

Services

Tenant Improvements
Lab and Office Fit Out
Site Selection
Visioning
Programming and Planning

2022 ISPE Facility of the Year Award Winner for Innovation!

CRISPR Therapeutics, a Switzerland-based gene-editing company, focuses on the development of transformative gene-based medicines for serious diseases. Continued success and anticipated annual growth created an opportunity for TRIA to create a highly innovative lab and office space near its new cGMP Manufacturing space.

This flexible, digitally-enabled facility is unique in utilizing a compact design with multiple independent production suites, each capable of producing a different product at a different stage of development while maintaining strict product segregation.

TRIA’s design task was to create an inspiring and cohesive facility that houses GMP manufacturing, but also labs, warehouses and supporting office and amenity spaces. It needed to be unique to the Framingham location while maintaining the brand integrity of its other locations.

Bringing individuality to the space was through lighting and wall graphics. Our design team created a large custom light fixture for their café space that is a replica of a compound. Abundant natural light and the use of glass walls provide a connection between office and manufacturing and promote interaction and collaboration.

Each of the labs has a unique wall covering, inspired by actual CRISPR cells and molecules. TRIA used photos of actual CRISPR cells and molecules, distorting the images while incorporating their colors bringing warmth and unique branding to a typically sterile environment.

Our team provided full services and delivered an award-winning lab and office, earning the 2022 ISPE Facility of the Year Award for Innovation. This annual program recognizes state-of-the-art projects utilizing new, innovative technologies to improve the quality of products, reduce the cost of producing high-quality medicines, and demonstrate advances in project delivery.

Scholar Rock

A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, Scholar Rock, was outgrowing its current space. TRIA was brought on board initially to provide visioning and programming/planning services and subsequently hired for the design to relocate their headquarters.  Scholar Rock’s new 50,000 SF space features a 45/55 lab and office split.

The design focused on implementing branding throughout the space and creating a comfortable work environment for the employees. Their namesake, a scholar rock, which is believed to reveal inner strength and truth, adorns the lobby entrance, greeting all employees and visitors who enter. Touches of wood throughout the space offer a natural and welcoming feel. The open office space provides a selection of glass-paned huddle areas and conference rooms around the building’s core, encouraging employee collaboration and communication. The office space also features layered open ceiling grids, which conceal ductwork and give a sense of place and path amongst the open office areas. A large café doubles as a company assembly space. In the café, two ceiling projectors are cloaked by a wooden shroud, becoming an aerial sculpture and the focus of the café area. The open lab space connects with the office and amenity spaces through shared flooring and ceiling details and integrating the same color palette through accent walls. Additional lab spaces include phage displays, tissue culture rooms, cold rooms, and mass spec.

location

Cambridge, MA

Size

50,000 SF

SERVICES

Tenant Improvements
Visioning
Programming and Planning
Lab Design
Interior Design

A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, Scholar Rock, was outgrowing its current space. TRIA was brought on board initially to provide visioning and programming/planning services and subsequently hired for the design to relocate their headquarters.  Scholar Rock’s new 50,000 SF space features a 45/55 lab and office split.

The design focused on implementing branding throughout the space and creating a comfortable work environment for the employees. Their namesake, a scholar rock, which is believed to reveal inner strength and truth, adorns the lobby entrance, greeting all employees and visitors who enter. Touches of wood throughout the space offer a natural and welcoming feel. The open office space provides a selection of glass-paned huddle areas and conference rooms around the building’s core, encouraging employee collaboration and communication. The office space also features layered open ceiling grids, which conceal ductwork and give a sense of place and path amongst the open office areas. A large café doubles as a company assembly space. In the café, two ceiling projectors are cloaked by a wooden shroud, becoming an aerial sculpture and the focus of the café area. The open lab space connects with the office and amenity spaces through shared flooring and ceiling details and integrating the same color palette through accent walls. Additional lab spaces include phage displays, tissue culture rooms, cold rooms, and mass spec.

Affinivax

Affinivax is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of a novel class of vaccines, including its highly efficient vaccine technology called Multiple Antigen Presenting System (MAPS) .

TRIA provided architectural design services for fit-out of a third floor lab and office space in a multi-tenant building. Beginning with intensive visioning and programming work, the space was designed to highlight Affinivax’s mission through elegant brand statements and extensive use of glass, allowing employees and visitors to see into the labs. In addition, a central “path” allows continuous circulation throughout lab and office. With a selection of a huddle and collaboration areas in both the lab and office, the design encourages teamwork and communication, while giving employees flexibility and versatility throughout their workday.

Affinivax was acquired by GSK in August, 2022.

LOCATION

Cambridge, MA

SIZE

50,000 SF

SERVICES

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

Affinivax is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of a novel class of vaccines, including its highly efficient vaccine technology called Multiple Antigen Presenting System (MAPS) .

TRIA provided architectural design services for fit-out of a third floor lab and office space in a multi-tenant building. Beginning with intensive visioning and programming work, the space was designed to highlight Affinivax’s mission through elegant brand statements and extensive use of glass, allowing employees and visitors to see into the labs. In addition, a central “path” allows continuous circulation throughout lab and office. With a selection of a huddle and collaboration areas in both the lab and office, the design encourages teamwork and communication, while giving employees flexibility and versatility throughout their workday.

Affinivax was acquired by GSK in August, 2022.

Foghorn Therapeutics

Foghorn Therapeutics, a biotechnology research company, is pioneering the discovery and development of a new class of medicines targeting genetically determined dependencies within the chromatin regulatory system.

Foghorn Therapeutics and the project team set out to transform three levels at 500 Technology Square into a sanctum of innovation. The building’s core acts as a center point of circulation divergence. Subtly angled walls, ceilings, and floors wrap the building’s core creating a continuous path that allows users to seamlessly transition from one space to another. Formal and informal collaboration spaces along this path allow for natural interactions between co-workers.

Levels six through eight of this lab and office renovation have merged with a staircase, creating easier opportunities for staff to connect and collaborate. Hefty steel beams brace the waffle slab construction and reveal a three-story-looking glass.

Level six includes an extensive chemistry lab, featuring an open ceiling concept where mechanical ductwork remains exposed as a critical aesthetic. Office areas here include “neighborhoods” of workstations and dedicated collaboration spaces. Level seven greets guests with an inviting reception area, while also providing an extensive cafe that doubles as a company-wide assembly space. The office neighborhoods converge at this central hub, creating opportunities for informal gatherings. Level seven also includes an extensive set of biology lab suites. The core circulation follows along to create a connection from the lab to the office. Finally, level eight offers additional opportunities for office and lab spaces to admix. A large board room acts as a hub for business.

location

Cambridge, MA

size

44,000 SF

Services

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

Foghorn Therapeutics, a biotechnology research company, is pioneering the discovery and development of a new class of medicines targeting genetically determined dependencies within the chromatin regulatory system. 

The project team set out to transform three levels at 500 Technology Square into a sanctum of innovation. The building’s core acts as a center point of circulation divergence. Subtly angled walls, ceilings, and floors wrap the building’s core creating a continuous path that allows users to seamlessly transition from one space to another. Formal and informal collaboration spaces along this path allow for natural interactions between co-workers.

Levels six through eight of this lab and office renovation have merged with a staircase, creating easier opportunities for staff to connect for collaborations. Hefty steel beams brace the waffle slab construction and reveal a three-story-looking glass.

Level six includes an extensive chemistry lab, featuring an open ceiling concept where mechanical ductwork remains exposed as a critical aesthetic. Office areas here include “neighborhoods” of workstations and dedicated collaboration spaces. Level seven greets guests with an inviting reception area, while also providing an extensive cafe that doubles as a company-wide assembly space. The office neighborhoods converge at this central hub, creating opportunities for informal gatherings. Level seven also includes an extensive set of biology lab suites. The core circulation follows along to create a connection from the lab to the office. Finally, level eight offers additional opportunities for office and lab spaces to admix. A large board room acts as a hub for business.

MassBio

Massachusetts Biotechnology Council’s (MassBio) mission is to advance Massachusetts’ leadership in the life sciences, grow the industry, add value to the healthcare system, and improve patient lives. MassBio represents the premier global life sciences and healthcare hub, with 1,600+ members dedicated to preventing, treating, and curing diseases through transformative science and technology that brings value and hope to patients.

TRIA was selected to design its MassBioHub, a unique conference and business center in the heart of Kendall Square.  With two floors, this new headquarters required state-of-the-art meeting areas that boasted versatility for groups of up to 150 to suit any member’s needs, from a 2-person staff huddle to full-scale conferences and corporate events. Designed to support networking opportunities, the space features multiple communal areas and an interconnecting staircase between the two floors, while a selection of private offices supports business needs.

LOCATION

Cambridge, MA

SIZE

20,000 SF

SERVICES

Tenant Improvements
Interior Design
Visioning
Workplace Evaluation
Programming and Planning
Renderings

Massachusetts Biotechnology Council’s (MassBio) mission is to advance Massachusetts’ leadership in the life sciences, grow the industry, add value to the healthcare system, and improve patient lives. MassBio represents the premier global life sciences and healthcare hub, with 1,600+ members dedicated to preventing, treating, and curing diseases through transformative science and technology that brings value and hope to patients.

TRIA was selected to design its MassBioHub, a unique conference and business center in the heart of Kendall Square.  With two floors, this new headquarters required state-of-the-art meeting areas that boasted versatility for groups of up to 150 to suit any member’s needs, from a 2-person staff huddle to full-scale conferences and corporate events. Designed to support networking opportunities, the space features multiple communal areas and an interconnecting staircase between the two floors, while a selection of private offices supports business needs.

Flagship Pioneering

After completing initial test fits, TRIA provided architectural services for Flagship Pioneering’s Science Hotel project. As an organization that resources and builds life sciences companies to invent breakthrough technologies, the 33,500 SF space was designed to maximize efficiency and innovation. TRIA fit out five suites for approximately 125 employees at One Kendall Square, a mixed-use facility in Cambridge, MA, which houses other notable life sciences firms. Flagship’s facilities consist of wet lab space with tissue culture suites, lab support including central autoclave and glass wash, amenity, and office. TRIA took care to balance the lab space with bright and inviting amenity spaces, such as convertible conference spaces and multi-functional meeting points.

LOCATION

Cambridge, MA

SIZE

33,500 SF

SERVICES

Tenant Improvement
Interior Design
Lab Design

After completing initial test fits, TRIA provided architectural services for biotech firm Flagship Pioneering’s Science Hotel project. As an organization that resources and builds life sciences companies to invent breakthrough technologies, the 33,500 SF incubator space was designed to maximize efficiency and innovation. TRIA fit out five suites for approximately 125 employees at One Kendall Square, a mixed-use facility that houses other notable life sciences firms. Flagship’s facilities consist of wet lab space with tissue culture suites, lab support including a central autoclave and glass wash, amenities, and office areas. TRIA balanced the lab space with bright and inviting amenity spaces, such as convertible conference spaces and multi-functional meeting points.

Platelet Biogenesis

Platelet Bio, a preclinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering an entirely new platform of allogeneic cell therapies based on platelet biology, asked TRIA to create a culture-centric and functional design for its new lab and office space on one floor.

The existing building’s floor-to-ceiling windows provide ample sunlight with commanding views of the neighborhood. Periodic glass walls between the lab and office spaces provide a collective visual connection, allowing for transparency amongst coworkers and potential clients. An exceptional design feature is the automated glass wall between the boardroom and adjacent café, which can disappear above the ceiling to create one large meeting space for all-hands gatherings. This element supports wider firm cohesion and is a notable addition to the office, which speaks to Platelet’s unique culture and identity. TRIA extended this detailed approach to the laboratories, where great care was taken to enhance lab safety. Personal protective equipment, eye wash and safety showers are clearly visible; biosafety cabinets, refrigerators, fume hoods and autoclaves are located for safety and energy efficiency. Lastly, hands-free entries to tissue culture rooms open powered doors, reducing contamination.

LOCATION

Watertown, MA

SIZE

17,500 SF

SERVICES

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

Platelet Bio, a preclinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering an entirely new platform of allogeneic cell therapies based on platelet biology, asked TRIA to create a culture-centric and functional design for its new lab and office space on one floor.

The existing building’s floor-to-ceiling windows provide ample sunlight with commanding views of the neighborhood. Periodic glass walls between the lab and office spaces provide a collective visual connection, allowing for transparency amongst coworkers and potential clients. An exceptional design feature is the automated glass wall between the boardroom and adjacent café, which can disappear above the ceiling to create one large meeting space for all-hands gatherings. This element supports wider firm cohesion and is a notable addition to the office, which speaks to Platelet’s unique culture and identity. TRIA extended this detailed approach to the laboratories, where great care was taken to enhance lab safety. Personal protective equipment, eye wash and safety showers are clearly visible; biosafety cabinets, refrigerators, fume hoods and autoclaves are located for safety and energy efficiency. Lastly, hands-free entries to tissue culture rooms open powered doors, reducing contamination.