New England Bio Labs

Location:	Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA
Services:	Full architectural services

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We were awarded first prize in an open international competition to design a dedicated research facility and campus for pioneering biotech company New England Biolabs (NEB). The contemporary and organic design allows NEB to stand as a monument to the emerging field of molecular biology, to respond to the nuances of its surrounding natural landscape and to directly relate to the very core of its research and development work.

New England Biolabs has been a pioneer in the biotechnology industry for more than 30 years. Rapidly expanding and with a constantly evolving product offering, the company required a larger, leading-edge laboratory and manufacturing facility.

The design had to show sensitivity to the existing rural setting and heritage buildings; preserve several very large, old copper beech trees; incorporate a ratio of 40/60 labs to support space; anchor the building with a three-storey tropical rain forest winter garden and provide a cafeteria, a 250-seat auditorium and a permanent art gallery for rotating exhibitions of local artists.

The three-storey, 208,000 square foot, LEED certified building is heavily clad in various shades of green copper panels nestling in a soft, rolling landscape. A Victorian-style mansion, part of the original estate, sits adjacent to the back of the building and houses administrative offices.

The building is organized around a main street, which greets visitors at the entrance, extends straight through the rear of the building and cascades gently down the naturally sloping landscape. The single street creates a strong sense of community and a focus for the winter garden at the south. A clever balance between cut and fill has been achieved across the site, minimising the importing or exporting of soil and its associated high costs both financially and environmentally.

The research and production labs are cleanly arranged on either side of the street and connected by glass catwalks. Every two labs share an adjacent support space and each lab is equipped with modular furniture and benches to maximize flexibility.

The 250-seat lecture hall has stepped, tiered seating, covered in subtle violet hues and is surrounded by warm-toned, natural wood staves. A full-service cafeteria located just inside the main entrance has dramatic views into a three-storey tropical winter garden. Other notable features include an outdoor patio off the cafeteria and underground parking for 165 cars.