Be Biopharma
Be Biopharma (BeBio), a Cambridge Massachusetts pharmaceutical company, is at the forefront of creative innovation in developing a proprietary class of engineered B cells as medicines. Vivo Architecture (VIVO) lead the design efforts to bring BeBio’s vision for their new home to life. BeBio’s company culture emphasizes people’s well being, as evidenced by their focus on always putting the patient first. This ethos carries over to the design of the work spaces, with special emphasis on staff satisfaction, comfort, and amenities designed to bring people together. The chosen site, approximately 26,000 RSF on the third floor of 200 One Kendall Square offered a unique opportunity with its historic industrial post and beam structure and oversized windows overlooking One Kendall Square’s main courtyard. The building, renovated to support life science tenants, supported the 50/50 lab/office layout the program required.
To take advantage of the building’s existing features, as well as the natural light and the views, the existing brick wall at the exterior perimeter was exposed and kept open, with most hard walled spaces located inboard. The open zone fronting the building is occupied by open workstation areas, divided into three discreet neighborhoods by pods of meeting spaces. The timber ceilings and columns receive minimal modifications to contrast with the dynamic lighting fixtures animating the space. A large break room with connecting conference rooms occupies one corner of the plan, providing a multifunctional social and work space. BeBio holds periodic firmwide meetings, which warrant a large conference area. Our design team installed operable partitions between the conference and the dining area for easier accommodation of people for firmwide events.
In the reception area, a sculptural branding wall with integrated planters provides visual privacy to the work areas beyond while allowing views to the outside upon exiting the elevators. Custom artwork developed by the architects emphasizes the company’s values and focus on their patients. The BeBio logo was purposely not placed as the main focal point, yet still remains a key element of the overall composition. Large circular ceiling lights inspired by the brand's design elements, combined with the artistic use of the brand’s accent colors, blue and purple, reflected in the carpets, tiles, and walls make the space one-of-a-kind. As an added bonus, the suite includes room in an original bell tower, repurposed here as a library, meeting and a wellness room.
Another feature worth noting is the connectivity between the offices and the lab areas. Large expanses of glass and multiple access points into the science spaces maintain a seamless flow of movement between the functions. Most researchers keep desks at the office side after all. Putting the science front and center again reinforces the message that the company is here to make life better for their patients. The laboratories are arranged in a similar layout to the offices, with large general labs fronting the windows and smaller support spaces and specialized labs adjoining the buildings core.
In experiencing the occupied space, the dynamic nature of BeBio’s workplace culture is reflected seamlessly in the overall design. The space is relaxed, welcoming, bright and colorful and blends the new and the old creatively to bring out the best of each other.
Location:
One Kendall Square,
Cambridge, MA
By the numbers:
Office and Research Facilities
3rd Floor
26,000 RSF
completed February 2022