MedCap Advisors is the leader in medical technology innovation, providing mergers & acquisition guidance and strategic consulting services exclusively to the medical technology and healthcare sectors. Their commitment to building strategy for emerging medical devices, biotechnologies, and biologics spans over 20 years, having represented clients through more than 150 medical device mergers and venture investments. MedCap is committed to improving health and medical technology by focusing their expertise on the intersection at which physicians and patients meet to save lives, reduce suffering and lower healthcare costs.
STA designed MedCap’s offices in Harvard Square in 2012, 2,000 sf space focused on the venture side of their practice. As MedCap has evolved, CEO Chris Velis developed an exciting new model – their new space would co-locate their venture team alongside the companies in which MedCap was investing. One of his main goals for the space was to create a collaborative environment where the venture / financial team would engage with the companies developing the latest innovations in medical technology.
We have always felt a strong connection and synergy with the MedCap team. After all, we share a common mission of enhancing the lives of people and the human experience. Our design process has been very collaborative, with group visioning sessions, sharing of ideas through digital and low-tech tools (pinup boards!)
DESIGN PROCESS
Chris found the perfect space for his new concept – 44-48 Brattle St in Harvard Square Cambridge, the iconic buildings sometimes referred to as “Architects Corner”. The buildings were designed by Benjamin Thompson, Sert and Gropius, and is the former home of Design Research. Chris has a great appreciation for great design (what led him to STA!), and he jumped on the opportunity to house his company in this building.
At one of our early design meetings, Chris noticed the Eames splint hanging on our wall (Felice had been presented with the splint as an award when she won IIDA’s Leadership award). The splint was designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1942 World War II using a new innovative material technique, bonding wood veneers together with a resin glue and shaped into compound curves using heat and pressure.
The splint represents the intersection of craft, technology and innovation – innovation in the field of medical technology, that ultimately became a leading innovation in furniture design– the light bulb went off – the splint, and all that it represents, became a source of inspiration for the design of the MedCap space. Plywood elements, curved forms, and furniture of the same technique reinforce the importance of this iconic piece.
INTERSECTIONS
Another driver in the early design was the idea of intersections. Everything related to their mission, the program goals and the space pointed to the idea of intersection. The Intersection of Clinicians, Patients, and the MedTech Marketplace; the intersection of the craft of the maker process and precision of engineering; the intersection of the people in the venture team and the companies as they collaborate throughout the space;
At one of our early design meetings, we sat across the table with Chris, markers in hand, working together to brainstorm the flow and layout. Chris starting connecting the columns, connecting the dots! These intersections led to a fresh perspective on the space and some transformative decisions in the design.
At STA we highly value this collaborative design process with our clients –
Stay tuned to see the design as it develops!
-Felice
