Ó³»´«Ã½ expands into new building at 7 Cambridge Center
The building was designed by an architectural team led by Elkus-Manfredi Architects, with Signer/Harris Architects and Maryann Thompson Associates
Image courtesy of Ó³»´«Ã½ Communications
There is a lot more foot traffic on Main Street in Cambridge these days. This is partly attributable to the longer days and moderating temperatures that herald a New England spring. It is also the result of the opening of the new Ó³»´«Ã½ headquarters building at 7 Cambridge Center.
From the time the new institute was announced, the Ó³»´«Ã½ community has worked toward an architectural headquarters that would reflect both its scientific and organizational missions, as well as fostering the collaborative spirit that animates the institute. In July 2004, the groundbreaking for this unique scientific space took place. This month, less than two years later, the Ó³»´«Ã½ community expands into its new building.
The 230,000-square-foot, seven-story Ó³»´«Ã½ headquarters building sits at the intersection of Main and Ames Streets in Cambridge Center. This location is central to Ó³»´«Ã½'s founding partner institutions: across Main Street is MIT's biology department and Center for Cancer Research, and Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research sits next door. A couple short subway stops away in one direction is Harvard University, and in the other Massachusetts General and several other Harvard-affiliated hospitals.
A view from the mezzanine onto Main StreetImage courtesy of Ó³»´«Ã½ Communications
Transparency is key not only to Ó³»´«Ã½ science but also to Ó³»´«Ã½ space. Glass walls filter natural light throughout labs and offices. Group spaces are linked together by common spaces, ranging from small lounges to large conference rooms. The building's internal transparency carries into the street: the first floor lobby soon will house a highly interactive museum that demonstrates advances in genetic research and medicine via displays that are interactive from inside and outside the building. Also located on the first floor is a 280-seat state-of-the-art auditorium, which will serve as a venue for both Ó³»´«Ã½ and public events. Later this year, a public restaurant will open as well.
Although the majority of the Ó³»´«Ã½ staff and its research efforts will be housed at 7 Cambridge Center, the genome sequencing laboratory at the heart of Ó³»´«Ã½ will remain at its current 320 Charles Street location, which will be renovated in line with the vision that underlies the new 7 Cambridge Center building.
An official building opening is tentatively planned for May 30, 2006.
