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Vertex Pharmaceuticals Headquarters
Elkus Manfredi has also earned a reputation for pioneering the placemaking movement. The same is true of Jamestown, making it all the more interesting that we have chosen one another as partners. I know why Jamestown engaged Elkus Manfredi to complete architectural work on the Innovation and Design Building, but what were the deciding factors in relocating your firm to our building?
We wanted to be able to practice what we preach: that collaboration equals innovation. For us as a firm, that meant we all wanted to be on one floor. The Innovation and Design Building was the perfect place for that to happen: 55,000 square feet, filled with natural daylight, high ceilings, and a happy buzz of activity. Being on one floor has been transformational to our practice, not to mention having neighbors like MassChallenge, who are leaders in their industries, and co-locating next to the Design Center itself, which makes it easier for us to do our work. Being part of the pulse of the waterfront and seeing Boston grow before our eyes makes us feel even more connected to our city. Another huge deciding factor was that Michael Phillips of Jamestown painted a vision that we couldn’t resist. We believe that Jamestown can make the Innovation and Design Building one of the most interesting, program-rich, creative design environments in the country. Jamestown is masterful at the curation of tenants; they know how to bring together the right people to get the right energy happening. It’s like a great host who knows how to create the perfect guest list for a party. Working with Jamestown to create this new environment is a wonderful opportunity for Elkus Manfredi. To live in the midst of it at the same time is the icing on the cake.
Sustainability and environmental preservation are words that rightfully continue to gain momentum. Do sustainability and environmental impact apply to all your projects and are there standouts you would like to mention?
Everything we plan and design is about doing the right thing for our environment, whether or not a project is designed to be LEED-certified. We do design a lot of LEEDcertified spaces: Dassault Systèmes’ headquarters is certified LEED Platinum; Van Ness, currently under construction in the Fenway, is designed for LEED Gold; and our building at 150 Second Street in Cambridge is the first commercial lab project certified Platinum under LEED v3 in New England. More broadly, projects like those at The Fenway and Ink Block — where people are coming back to the city — mean fewer cars and a smaller footprint per person.
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