This administrative building, the largest in Somerville, Mass., consolidates 4,500 employees from 14 locations across Boston into one place. The project’s 30-month schedule was half of the typical time frame for such a building. So the Building Team had little margin for delays or mistakes.
Twice-weekly meetings that included the client, AEC firms, and consultants were guided by seven core values that served as a roadmap during the design process. Once construction began, project leaders established a risk assessment group that identified and assessed potential problems weekly.
The building creates an “all-under-one-roof” organizational concept and culture, with a training center, multipurpose auditorium (available for use by campus residents, the local community, and the Partners’ network), community hubs, and outdoor spaces that include two acres of green space and walking paths. The facility is near a new subway stop, which connects the building to Somerville’s developing mixed-use Assembly Row.
By corralling its operations into one building, the client is realizing considerable savings on rent, and provides its employees with more convenient meeting spaces. Courtesy Robert Benson Photography.
Ten floors are devoted to workplace “neighborhoods” that foster engagement and collaboration. The first floor offers leasable retail space.
By consolidating activities and events in its new central amenity hub, Partners HealthCare, which provides at-home health and nursing services to the elderly, has eliminated rental fees it was paying for multiple locations. Partners estimates that it will save $10 to $13 million annually from consolidating its operations.
To prepare its workforce for the move, a comprehensive communications program engaged all 4,500 users with targeted, customized messaging. Before their arrival into the building, employees received details about their work environment and on-site food and snack options, which include a full-service cafeteria.
Building Team – Submitting firm, architect Gensler Developer Leggat McCall Properties Structural engineer McNamara/Salvia MEP engineer Buro Happold Engineering Contractor Suffolk Construction
General Information – Size 825,000 sf Cost: $465 million Construction time January 2014 to June 2016 Delivery method CM at risk
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Aug 11, 2021
BD+C Awards Programs
Entry information and past winners for Building Design+Construction's two major awards programs: 40 Under 40 and Giants 400
Building Team Awards | Mar 12, 2021
2021 Building Team Awards Entry Information
Only new construction projects completed on or after January 1, 2020 are eligible. Deadline for submissions: May 14, 2021.
Building Team Awards | Mar 12, 2021
Deadline extended for the 2021 Building Team Awards
BD+C's Building Team Awards is the industry's only recognition program to honor projects that achieve excellence in both design/construction and collaboration of the AEC/O team. Deadline for entries: May 14, 2021.
Building Team Awards | Nov 4, 2020
12 projects earn BD+C's 2020 Building Team Awards
The Statue of Liberty Museum, Allianz Field, and the Long Beach Civic Center are three of the projects awarded with BD+C's 2020 Building Team Awards.
Building Team Awards | Nov 3, 2020
Birmingham's haven for the homeless
A coalition of ministries raised millions to build a new home for homeless men in Alabama’s largest city. The Firehouse Shelter wins Honorable Mention in the 2020 Building Team Awards.
Building Team Awards | Nov 2, 2020
It's back to the future for this contractor
Poettker Construction’s new headquarters in rural Breese, Ill., is recognized with a Bronze Award in BD+C’s 2020 Building Team Awards.
Building Team Awards | Nov 2, 2020
Long Beach gets a municipal marvel
The Long Beach Civic Center is honored with a Bronze Award in the 2020 Building Team Awards.