Project overview: 325 Binney Street, a leading-edge life science development that is home to a biotechnology company, transforms the future of laboratory buildings. Located in an internationally recognized innovation district, the building provides its scientists a dynamic space to advance their best work. To address climate change, 325 Binney Street is designed to be the most sustainable lab building in Cambridge. It upholds the disciplined and strategic approach of the building owner to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, reduce fossil fuel use, and increase consumption of renewable energy.
The project is on track to have the lowest fossil fuel consumption compared to similarly sized commercial lab buildings in the city. The project’s design was optimized to target an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 114 kBtu/ SF-year, which is considered best-in-class energy performance for large, humidified lab buildings. The ultra-efficient laboratory facility’s design achieved an estimated 97% emissions reduction relative to the 2020 Massachusetts Energy Stretch Code baseline for all fossil fuels to be consumed on-site.
The theme of “openness to light” generated the architecture. By splitting the building, this architectural gesture creates a grand civic presence and becomes a beacon in the neighborhood, creating lantern-like projections of its multi-story work areas. The resulting space hosts an extra-wide central stair for circulation and for work conversations. Sunlight pours into the depth of the building’s centerpiece, while an atrium features verdant planter boxes on the stairs and in the workspaces.
Project location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Firm name: NBBJ
Completion: 2024
Jury comments: Consistently excellent throughout. Beautiful project with a clean, simple, and impactful material palette. Very good use of light, textures, and dynamic interior spaces. The lab atrium is particularly engaging, offering an interesting contrast to typical lab environments.
Images/Photographers: Chuck Choi, Robert Benson General Contractor: John Moriarty Associates Civil Engineer: Bristol Engineering Advisors Specifications: Kalin Associates Structural: Thornton Thomasetti Mechanical: BR+A Electrical: BR+A Plumbing: BR+A Acoustic: Acentech Audio Visual: Acentech Landscape: Halvorsen Lighting: Lam Partners Wind Modeling and Analysis: RWDI Geotechnical Engineering: Haley & Aldrich Transportation Consultant: VHB Elevator Consulting: VDA Door Hardware: Robbie McCabe Consulting Legal Counsel: Adams & Rafferty Materials Handling: St. Onge
