The Broad Institute

Transformed for Innovation

HGA has been working with the Broad Institute since 2014, providing design services for a number of renovations, comprising work and research, including a variety of labs and workspaces: Genomics Platform, Liu Lab, Cancer Cell Line Factory/ Blood Biopsy, Optical Profiling Platform, Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, and the Zhang Lab.

The collaboration with Broad Institute that began at 320 Charles Street with the Genomics Platform group continued at 75 Ames Street. Conversion of the 30,000 SF floorplate from office to lab represented an opportunity to rethink how space planning can foster innovation. The team engaged “surrogate” lab users in detailed evaluation of metrics to guide the design for shared open labs, support spaces, and office zones. HGA worked with acclaimed CRISPR researcher Feng Zhang and complimentary research groups in further optimizing the design to promote collaboration.

Features of the lab conversion include a highly flexible 8,000 SF open lab with natural lighting on three sides. A support corridor lined with equipment and consumables efficiently links this space to 6,000 SF of lab support, comprised of robust tissue culture rooms, cold rooms, microscopy, procedure room, and freezer farm.