Lexington, Massachusetts

From The Freelon Group:

The Freelon Group teamed with SMMA of Cambridge, MA in an invited design competition for Shire Pharmaceuticals, a world leader in the research and manufacturing of human genetic therapies.  The competition program included a new 200,000 Sq. Ft. laboratory and office building to support research and development operations as well as associated site development planning for Shire’s research and manufacturing campus in Concord, MA. 

The program was comprised of three primary lab groups, Process Analytical, Purification Process and Cell Culture Process Development.  In addition to the labs were the administrative and lab support groups necessary for a free-standing operation.

Three-story research lab wings are arranged over a plinth that encloses building support programs and a pilot plant.  Lab write-up stations are set between the lab wings in a day lit atrium that encourages interaction between different research disciplines.  

The proposed design draws inspiration from the dragonfly, a Native American symbol for courage, strength and renewal to express Shire’s corporate brand of BRAVE.  Set within the pastoral landscape of the existing campus, the parallel lab wings are arranged perpendicular to a circulation spine that connects them to the office block and main lobby.  The spine gently arcs across the site in response to the topography and forms a new “front door” plaza for the campus.  At its southern extent the spine penetrates the lab wings to establish a bold, formal gesture to the nearby freeway and marks the main employee entrance.  The form of the building allows a close relationship with the landscape on all sides and between the lab wings.  Building materials of stone, metal, wood and glass celebrate the character of the site and context.