Novartis Technology Square

Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
100 Technology Square
Cambridge, MA

• 2003 Honor Award, Build Massachusetts Award Program, Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts

Role
Project Designer: Audrey O’Hagan, AIA on behalf of The Stubbins Associates, Inc.

Client Goals
• To create a new flagship 250,000 square foot state-of-the-art research laboratory in 10 months
• To create an open, environment which fosters interaction
• Energize and inspire the scientists

Design Solution
The notion of a global multi-cultural campus where inter-dependent activities take place around the world inspired the creation of this stimulating and vibrant environment where light is a metaphor for scientific discovery.
In order to foster interaction among users, the layout is organized around a group of communal spaces, such as break rooms, kitchenettes and libraries, located near the central core overlooking the existing atrium. These centralized hubs are the beating heart of the building and vibrant areas for social and intellectual exchange.
The work place is a fluid, collegial environment where disciplinary lines blur as well as physical distinctions between laboratories, offices and social spaces.
The integrated process comprised of a collaborative team including the client, architect, engineers, construction manager, and users enabled quick decision-making, a reduction in time, and the rigorous schedule to be met. It also ensured a commitment to good design values and construction quality from all parties.

“Thanks to her enthusiasm and commitment, Audrey has enabled us to keep the right balance between design quality and speed of execution.”
– Project Manager, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research,
100 Technology Square Project

Novartis Basel

Novartis Pharma
Laboratory and Knowledge Center, Design Competition
Basel, Switzerland

Role
Project Designer: Audrey O’Hagan, AIA

Objective

Novartis’ mission is to transform the St. Johann site from a manufacturing complex into a “campus of knowledge.” The WSJ 150 building and Knowledge Center, is to become a focus of knowledge interchange with laboratories for Pharma Research and Development in the same building.
Design Vision
The goal is to create an open and dynamic environment which stimulates interaction throughout the building. The ground floor spaces reach out into the landscape along Fabrikstrasse, the main pedestrian parkway, inviting passers-by into the Knowledge Center. The crisp glass laboratory block to the north pivots outward and cantilevers over a new landscaped pond. This gesture not only puts science on display along Huningerstrasse, but also allows natural light to penetrate the central atrium and provides additional floor area without increasing the footprint.

“Users like the functional integration of the labs with writing desks and offices; laboratory areas are not large, and offer a clear view and are clearly demarcated.” – Juror

Novartis Necco

Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Global Research Headquarters

Cambridge, MA

• 2006 BusinessWeek/Architectural Record Award for Design Excellence

• 2006 Lab of the Year Award/Adaptive Re-Use

• 2005 Cambridge Preservation Award/Adaptive Re-Use

Role

Project Designer: Audrey O’Hagan, AIA on behalf of The Stubbins Associates, Inc.

Client Goals

• To “invent” an interior environment that would foster the exchange of ideas and knowledge among scientists

• Emphasize openness and transparency

• Integrate interacting scientific disciplines

• Energize and inspire the scientists

• Complete the entire process in 20 months

Design Solution

To achieve Novartis’ goals, the design team had to transform the very spirit of the existing 1927 warehouse, (the place where the New England Confectionary Company “Necco” had been making candy for more than 75 years).This was done by bringing people, natural light and movement into the heart of the building in a dramatic and unexpected manner.

To foster interaction among people working in different areas of the 500,000 sf facility, a new six-story, amoeba-shaped, atrium was created at the building’s center. It is a dynamic hub of social and intellectual exchange among users and contains break rooms, conference rooms, libraries and kitchenettes, all woven into a fluid continuous space. The atrium is bathed in natural light and animated with four cylindrical glass elevators, which are a metaphor for transparency, one of the client’s core values.

The workplace is a fluid and dynamic collegial environment where disciplinary lines blur as well as physical distinctions between laboratories, offices and corridors. Floor to ceiling glass walls reinforce the concept of transparency and openness by creating visual connections between users who are traditionally separated.

Working as a collaborative team along with the client and users enabled the team to successfully meet the client’s goals and rigorous 20-month schedule.

The overriding design goal was to create a place that would inspire the scientists to do their best work, and today, the building houses nearly 700 scientists conducting a wide range of cutting- edge research.

“Audrey has within a very tight schedule perfectly understood the nature of our business, our aspiration for openness and transparency, and translated our values into a powerful piece of architecture that combines the needs of a cutting-edge research facility within the architectural tradition of a historic building. She has a natural talent, passion for design excellence and consistency in fighting for it.” – Global Head Research Operations, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research