In the coastal town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., an abandoned rock quarry will be transformed into a new research and innovation campus designed by HGA. The campus will reuse and upcycle the granite left onsite.
The project for Cell Signaling Technology (CST), a life sciences technology company, will turn an environmentally depleted site into a net-zero laboratory campus, with building electrification and onsite renewables. The building’s heating, cooling, and hot water will be sourced from geothermal energy. The sustainable campus will target LEED, LEED Zero Carbon, and WELL certifications.
“This is an architect’s dream—to marry our design thinking and holistic approach with CST’s project aspirations while transforming an abandoned quarry into a new campus for life sciences research,” Samir Srouji, principal with HGA, said in a statement.
To support everyday life and employee wellbeing, the design includes a Quarry Garden and Upper Quad designed by landscape architects Studio 2112. These outdoor spaces will connect to a network of trails around the site. A primary circulation route will direct activity from the cloistered Upper Quad, the heart of the campus, to the Quarry Garden, located at the cliff’s base.
The project prioritizes low embodied carbon and healthier materials. Proposed materials include a natural granite base with brick cladding, curtain wall technology with vacuum-insulated glazing, and mass timber structure for the multipurpose lobby pavilion. To foster a thriving natural ecosystem, the project includes native plantings, resilient stormwater management, and a woodland environment.
Sightlines will extend throughout the building, providing natural light and an unobstructed view of the surrounding landscape and the scientists at work. In the flexible open lab environment, robust mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems will enable the facility to adapt to new technology and instruments in the future.
On the Building Team:
Owner: Cell Signaling Technology
Design architect and architect of record: HGA
MEP and structural engineer: BR+A
General contractor: Columbia
Related Stories
Laboratories | Aug 31, 2021
Pandemic puts science and technology facilities at center stage
Expanding demand for labs and life science space is spurring new construction and improvements in existing buildings.
Giants 400 | Aug 30, 2021
2021 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S.
The 2021 Giants 400 Report includes more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Laboratories | Aug 30, 2021
Science in the sky: Designing high-rise research labs
Recognizing the inherent socioeconomic and environmental benefits of high-density design, research corporations have boldly embraced high-rise research labs.
Laboratories | Aug 25, 2021
Lab design strategies for renovations and adaptive reuse
Lab design experts in HOK’s Science + Technology group outline the challenges organizations must understand before renovating a lab or converting an existing building into research space.
Architects | Aug 5, 2021
Lord Aeck Sargent's post-Katerra future, with LAS President Joe Greco
After three years under the ownership of Katerra, which closed its North American operations last May, the architecture firm Lord Aeck Sargent is re-establishing itself as an independent company, with an eye toward strengthening its eight practices and regional presence in the U.S.
Architects | Aug 5, 2021
Lord Aeck Sargent's post-Katerra future, with LAS President Joe Greco
After three years under the ownership of Katerra, which closed its North American operations last May, the architecture firm Lord Aeck Sargent is re-establishing itself as an independent company, with an eye toward strengthening its eight practices and regional presence in the U.S.
Laboratories | May 6, 2021
The big shift: How laboratory design should respond to personalized medicine
Crucial to the success of personalized medicine is the “big shift” away from large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing to small-scale lab manufacturing.
Laboratories | Mar 10, 2021
8 tips for converting office space to life sciences labs
Creating a successful life sciences facility within the shell of a former office building can be much like that old “square peg round hole” paradigm. Two experts offer important advice.
Giants 400 | Dec 3, 2020
2020 Science & Technology Facilities Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the S+T sector
HDR, Jacobs, and Turner head BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest science and technology (S+T) facilities sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2020 Giants 400 Report.
