Akamai is the largest distributed platform operating at the edge of the Internet. On Nov. 1, it held a grand opening ceremony for the opening of its 19-story, 480,000-sf headquarters in Cambridge, Mass., which brings employees from six properties under one roof.
Those 19 floors are connected by the Akamile, a mile-long uninterrupted path that extends from the building’s street lobby to its highest floor. Sasaki was the interior designer of this building, and its vision for Akamile was to provide areas for socialization (from high-tech conference rooms to game stations), business, and seclusion, each of which is clearly denoted with colors and furniture specific to the workspace.
The goal of the space is to get employees to want to be in the office, as opposed to working remotely. “To connect the world, we must first connect to each other” was Sasaki’s mission statement for Akamai’s headquarters.
Greeters meet visitors coming into Akamai's two-story lobby.
To provide a personalized, welcoming experience, the building’s two-story lobby dispenses with a concierge desk in favor of greeters. The first three stories of the building are in “Akamai orange,” the top three in “Akamai blue,” and the rest in different color schemes that provide wayfinding for visitors as they step from the elevators. The color scheme is also meant as a directional signal to collaborative work areas.
(The color is bright in the Akamile, and subdued in workspaces. Brightness denotes when workers are in collaborative versus individual spaces.)
Sasaki developed a parametric interior design for Akamile, to generate an interconnected line pattern throughout the building. These color lines increase in spaces where connectivity and communal work are frequent.
Akamile is also used for programming. The Commons, on the third floor, includes an IT help desk, coffee bar, mail room, and supply room. Floor eight offers ping pong and pool tables, and the stairs double as shared seating. There are also moveable stairs that allow the floor space to be reconfigured.
The Building Team on this project included Boston Properties (developer and owner), Pickard Chilton (exterior design architect), Stantec (exterior AOR), and Turner Construction (interior CM). The interior construction exceeded $100 million, and Akamai has taken a 15-year lease.
At 19 stories, the headquarters is the tallest office building in Cambridge’s Kendall Square. The building includes Akamai’s new Network Operations Command Center, Broadcasting Operations Control Center, and Security Operations Center, where DDoS attacks are detected and mitigated.
The interior buildout of the 19-story headquarters cost more than $100 million. The building was designed to achieve WELL and LEED Gold certifications.
Akamai’s headquarters is shooting for WELL certification by next summer. All foods sold in the building will include at least 50% fruit or vegetable options. At least half of the food has grain flour as their primary ingredient. Nonpackaged foods will list their ingredients.
Over 70% of the building’s workstations are within 20 feet of a window. There are electronic sit-to-stand desks, and the interior is monitored for thermal comfort. Private spaces use fabric screens to absorb sound, and all spaces are designed to limit reverberations and provide proper sound levels relative to acoustics.
The building’s operations are designed to be water- and energy-efficient: A rooftop solar panel array provides more than 82,000 kWh per year of electricity. The building’s HVAC system features active chill beans (made in Massachusetts) that are expected to be at least 30% more efficient. The building will receive LEED v4 Gold core and shell certification.
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Dec 15, 2017
How environmental graphics can inspire culture and creativity in the workplace
Once you secure outstanding talent, how do you keep the creative juices flowing and help employees feel more connected to their company’s culture?
Office Buildings | Dec 14, 2017
San Francisco’s first WELL v1 Certified project has been completed
The space emphasizes WELL’s vital concepts of air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind within the workplace.
Mixed-Use | Dec 12, 2017
A new live/work neighborhood is about to get under way in Omaha, Neb.
Walkability and recreation will be key features of West Farm.
Office Buildings | Dec 1, 2017
Telecommunications company’s remodeled headquarters makes use of its unique H shape
lauckgroup designed the new headquarters space.
Office Buildings | Nov 6, 2017
Battle for 50K: Amazon HQ2 pushes cities to rethink urban development
In using an open RFP process with a tight timeline, Amazon created a frenzied, almost hackathon-like atmosphere that it hoped would spark next-level creativity when it comes to urban redevelopment.
Adaptive Reuse | Oct 23, 2017
A tableware storage space is reset to accommodate an investment firm’s headquarters in Raleigh, N.C.
This adaptive reuse establishes more direct visual and physical connections to a growing city.
Office Buildings | Oct 20, 2017
Hybridization of the co-working experience
Exploring potential innovations for the co-working industry.
Giants 400 | Oct 19, 2017
Race for talent drives office designs
Is the shift toward attracting younger workers too much or not enough?
Giants 400 | Oct 18, 2017
Top 105 office construction firms
Turner Construction Co., Structure Tone, and Holder Construction top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest office sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 17, 2017
Top 60 office engineering firms
AECOM, WSP, and Thornton Tomasetti top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest office sector engineering and EA firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.