Project name: Emerging from the pandemic, 38 Newbury embraces a residential style that thoughtfully bridges their previous “work from home” experiences with the functionality of a modern workplace. Responding to a moment when workers were navigating the isolation of remote work, the project rejects trends of impersonal, densely packed workstations, and prioritizes dedicated, comfortable spaces that feel “residential” and foster a sense of belonging.
The design honors the building’s historic craftsmanship by revealing its cast-in-place concrete vaults, once concealed behind plaster ceilings, and pairing them with fabric-stretched acoustic panels that integrate acoustics performance, lighting and mechanical systems. This juxtaposition of old and new creates a high-performing, visually layered environment that celebrates history while embracing innovation.
Transparency and connectivity were central to the design process, achieved through selective use of glass partitions that balance openness with privacy. Communal spaces and carefully aligned sightlines promote interaction and equity, supporting neurodiverse working styles and encouraging collaboration. Sustainability strategies include the reuse of existing elements, low-embodied-carbon materials, renewable wood panels, energy-efficient systems, and support for low-carbon commuting through bike and scooter storage, and showers adjacent to a “mudroom” entry. Attention to acoustic control, daylight, and healthy materials ensures wellness across diverse user needs.
Through this integration of history, sustainability, and human-centered design, 38 Newbury becomes more than an office: it demonstrates how our workplace serves as a civic model to enhance well-being, reduce environmental impact, and cultivate belonging between co-workers and guests; shaping environments that honor the past while creating a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Project location: Boston, Massachusetts
Firm name: Touloukian Touloukian Inc.
Associated Firm: Bauhaus Group LLC
Completion: 2024
Client: Broder Properties LLC
Jury comments: Rises above the norm with beautiful detailing of wood ceilings and walls, and the relationship of concrete and new insertions. By celebrating the original concrete vaults while integrating low-carbon materials, efficient systems, and adaptable acoustics, 38 Newbury creates a refined, residentially warm workplace. Thoughtful detailing, equitable planning, and support for neurodiverse workstyles make it comfortable, connected, and inclusive, setting a model for post-pandemic offices that foster well-being and reduce environmental impact.
Images/Photographer: Anton Grassl General Contractor: Charles Kacoyanis Structural: Souza True and Partners Mechanical: Macritchie Engineering Electrical: Macritchie Engineering Plumbing: Macritchie Engineering Acoustics: Acentech Interiors: Touloukian Touloukian Inc. Lighting: Green International Affiliates
