Boston is a thriving economic center for a diverse range of industries, including education, finance, biotechnology, and information technology. Many of these industries have specialized requirements for their facilities. Fortunately, the best industrial architects in Boston, Massachusetts are capable of designing for a variety of industries and specialized markets. Our editorial team selected these architects based on their strong backgrounds, extensive experience, and a wide range of serviced markets including breweries, schools, and scientific organizations.
Margulies Perruzzi
21 Drydock Avenue, Ste 330W, Boston, MA 02210
Margulies Perruzzi is a prolific architectural practice that has designed more than five million square feet of space for industry leaders such as PTC, Iron Mountain, Boston Scientific, McKinsey & Company, Zipcar, and Philips North America. The firm is led by senior partners Marc Margulies—a prestigious Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP), Daniel P. Perruzzi, Jr., AIA, LEED AP — and Janet Morra, AIA, LEED AP. Principal and Partner.
The firm recently completed renovations and a two-story addition at 69 A Street in South Boston, creating a five-story 45,000-square-foot building that is the first “cross-laminated timber” (CLT) addition to an existing building in downtown Boston. CLT, a lightweight and highly sustainable structural system, enabled the addition to be added to the 1920s-era brick and beam former Rivet factory without replacing the existing foundations or columns. Leaving the CLT exposed on the upper floors created a much more appealing wood interior than standard steel construction. Additionally, a new entrance mid- building is accessed via a landscaped courtyard, allowing generously enlarged windows on A Street, and an open-air terrace directly off the fifth floor looks west toward the Boston skyline. With the building core and shell complete, 69 A Street is now ready to be occupied by the next generation of tenants who are attracted to the revitalization of this part of South Boston.
TRIA Architects, Inc.
21 Drydock Avenue, Ste 330W, Boston, MA 02210
TRIA Architects, Inc. is a design firm offering architecture and design services for scientific and technology organizations. The firm is proud to be involved in creating the places that advance scientific discovery for firms like Sanofi, Moderna, and P&G. TRIA is led by managing principal Sherwood Butler, who has primarily focused, in his practice, on the life sciences industry. Today, Sherwood remains dedicated to staying up-to-date on all trends in the life sciences industry. In addition to its work in this market, the firm also completes designs on corporate interiors and manufacturing.
One example of the firm’s work on an industrial project is the Integra Life Sciences facility. TRIA provided full architectural services for the relocation of this medical device client’s office and manufacturing facility. The project was divided into two phases, where Phase I consisted of the office renovation which was design- and branding-focused. A unique element in the lobby was a branding wall that displayed the client’s products. Natural lighting was provided through thirteen installed skylights, and “collaboration zones,” where a central maple corridor runs throughout the space. Off the corridor are several different areas where employees can hold impromptu meetings. The space also includes a full cross-fit training facility, a special request from employees. Meanwhile, Phase II was completed in 2019 and includes a cleanroom, R&D, manufacturing, shipping/receiving, and warehousing space.
RODE Architects Inc.
535 Albany Street, #405, Boston, MA 02118
The collaborative practice of RODE Architects Inc. is built on the strong partnership between its principals, Eric Robinson, AIA, LEED AP and Kevin Deabler AIA, LEED AP. Eric and Kevin have a working relationship that spans nearly 20 years, dating back to their undergraduate studies in environmental design and architecture. Today, their firm offers a range of design services that includes master planning, feasibility surveys, project management, and innovative architectural solutions. Some of the firm’s past clients have included developers, private individuals, business owners, and educational institutions.
One example of the firm’s work is the Dorchester Brewing Co., Boston’s first-ever contact brewery. The 2020 AIA New England Design Award-winning adaptive reuse project was completed in two phases, with Phase One being completed in 2016. This phase involved the renovation of the existing HVAC warehouse into a contract brewing incubator space, taproom, game room, and commercial kitchen. The design team placed outdoor seating in front of the building and reopened previously-sealed front-facing windows. To cap it all off, the steel and aluminum “Dorchester” sign acts as the establishment’s pride in the community. Phase Two of the project was completed in 2019 and involved the addition of a glass and steel solarium. The “Hopservatory,” which resembles a greenhouse and offers 360-degree city views, took inspiration from the original industrial skylights of the building. Lastly, a large fireplace makes the space usable year-round.
Maugel Architects
200 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA 01451
Founded in 1993, Maugel Architects has been bringing to life millions of square feet of commercial real estate throughout New England for nearly 30 years. Over that time, Maugel has developed a broad range of industrial expertise, including flex buildings, distribution centers, warehouses, manufacturing facilities and mixed-use industrial parks. In 2019, Maugel acquired DeStefano Architects of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a move that accelerated the firms’ growth trajectories immediately by adding bandwidth in both capacity and geography throughout New England. Learn more about their work at www.maugel.com.
Maugel is working with Condyne Capital Partners and Polar Design Build at this newly created industrial mixed-use development located in Norton, Massachusetts. Blue Star Business Park is one of the newest master-planned modern industrial parks in the Greater Boston area. The 11 building, 848,000 SF development will feature a mix of industrial, flex and ancillary retail buildings spanning 190 acres. All buildings will be designed to accommodate flexible divisions of space including building access and storefronts.
ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge
501 Boylston Street, Ste 4101, Boston, MA 02116
ARC/ Architectural Resources Cambridge is a leader in architecture, planning, and interior design. Since 1969, the firm has been offering integrated services at all stages of the building process, from land-use, master, and space planning, site, building, and interior design, programming, visualization, construction documentation and administration, and the selection of equipment and furnishings. ARC’s portfolio of work also includes award-winning buildings for academic institutions and corporations, including science and technology companies. Project types encompass research laboratories, classroom and administrative buildings, campus and conference centers, student and faculty residences, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes.
A great example of the firm’s work is the Genzyme Corporation in Framingham. Completed in 2011, the LEED Gold-certified project was designed as an integral part of Genzyme’s new Framingham Corporate Campus Master Plan, which ARC also completed in 2007. The new Biologics Support Center provides support space for the adjacent Framingham Cell Culture Expansion as well as other Genzyme manufacturing facilities. Building on the new corporate identity for the recently completed Science Center, the Biologic Support Center also enhances the evolving image of the Framingham Campus.
