In 2015, Greentown Labs again experienced substantial growth and hired STA to help them master plan an existing building within close proximity to their existing building. STA’s design for the new 56,000 sf facility is now complete, and the Greentown folks moved in in December 2017. In addition to additional office and prototyping space, the new facility includes a large presentation area and a gallery for community engagement.
Greentown’s new location is the former home of American Tube Works, a brick structure with an open 3 story volume built in 1908. It most recently was the home of a Maaco Auto Body facility. STA’s brought new life to the building by inserting 2 floors and balconies, but maintained its industrial character by restoring exposed brick, wood, and structural steel elements, and even restored some of the original factory equipment.
STA has been working with Greentown Labs since 2011, when they established their initial cleantech space in Boston. Today, Greentown Labs is the largest cleantech incubator in the world and their space includes office space and prototyping space for over 50 companies.
In 2013, STA designed Greentown’s new 33,000 square foot facility in Somerville. Working closely with Greentown, STA developed space standards to align business model objectives to an efficient and comfortable place to work. This space includes research and development office space, outdoor and indoor presentation spaces, and maker space for prototyping.
THE DESIGN PROCESS
Greentown’s emphasis on Community was an important part of the design process. We had the great opportunity to work with the Greentown team, as well as the member companies, some of whom were part of the design process in the first project, and all of whom were current occupants of the first project. Weekly design meetings were held, and an open invitation was extended to all members of Greentown. We had a great turnout at the meetings, and the collaborative process led to exciting discussions about everything from
program elements, to zoning of space, to details, to material. Town Hall forums and periodic design and construction updates ensured that the entire Greentown community was informed.
SUSTAINABLE FEATURES
Sustainability of our environment is always a high priority in STA’s design, but it was especially important to Greentown, whose mission is “to foster a passionate community committed to solving the world’s biggest efficiency, energy and environmental challenges by providing the resources and labs startups need to succeed”. The building had to meet the mission of the company, and therefore the new facility has been modeled to perform at 48.5% below building code requirements before solar panels are installed on the building. See a full presentation of the Greentown sustainable features below.
SOME OF THE KEY DESIGN FEATURES
• The Town Green – this space is a large multi-purpose and adaptable area, used daily as a meeting / gathering / eating / working space, but also designed to accommodate Greentown’s many events, up to 500 people
• The Town Green is located at the front door, and visible to passersby on busy Somerville Ave. The goal is to have a strong connection to the community, sharing the importance of what is happening inside the walls of Greentown
• The existing first floor level is approximately 5 feet below street grade. The access issue was resolved by incorporating a key design element and program piece. The transition is formed by a 1:20 sinuous ramp that encircles a gallery space of Greentown members’ work, as well as informal gathering spaces – (this idea was the brainstorm of one of our collaborative design sessions!)
• Informal meeting pods or “hives”, also create a terraced transition from street level to ground level. The hives provide semi-private spots for meeting, as well as become seating for large presentations. (We’ve since learned they are now referred to as “hot tubs”!!)
• Ample and flexible prototyping and wet lab space, combined with adaptable workspaces are key program elements
On May 9, Greentown Labs celebrated its official grand opening and ribbon cutting along with its annual Demo Day showcase by their member companies. Over 700 guests attended, including Governor Charlie Baker and Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone.
