Massachusetts Medical Society

Oct. 8, 2001
New Construction Awards 2001 - Honorable Mention

As the sole tenant of the new 200,000-square-foot headquarters located in the Waltham, MA, suburban office development Waltham Woods Corporate Center, the Massachusetts Medical Society hoped for - and has realized - a facility that incorporates the organization's medical history and tradition, the specialized infrastructure needs of a headquarters facility, and nature. According to the project's designer, Robert Y.C. Hsiung, FAIA, principal architect at Jung/Brannen Associates Inc., Boston, "Yours is a profession which began with the beginning of civilization and will last as long as civilization lasts. The design of your new home must arch over that great span of time."

The building's basic design employed a standard structural bay system, typical for a tenanted suburban office but adaptable to easily revert to a multi-tenant space, ensuring that the facility is a sustainable real estate asset for the owner. A smart building management system monitors lighting, temperature, and security to provide a more efficient and comfortable work environment day-to-day. In addition to the administrative offices, the headquarters include a conference center, which accommodates 180 people and features an audio-visual center, a cafeteria that serves more than 200 people, and an advanced printing facility. Project highlights include:

• A soaring atrium, enclosed by a four-story, curved glass curtainwall, that affords a meeting place in three dimensions, or stories, enabling congregation and impromptu meetings while offering a sense of community.
• A conscious nature theme that incorporates shared daylight for employees in their workspaces; sites glacial boulders next to the foundation and in the atrium; allows natural growth of trees, shrubs, and plants; preserves old tree stands, glacial formations, and old stonewalls; and includes two manmade ponds.

- Linda K. Monroe, Editorial Director

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Buildings, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Building Better Schools

Download this digital resource to better understand the challenges and opportunities in designing and operating educational facilities for safety, sustainability, and performance...

Tips to Keep Facility Management on Track

How do you plan to fill the knowledge gap as seasoned facility managers retire or leave for new opportunities? Learn about the latest strategies including FM tech innovations ...

The Beauty & Benefits of Biophilic Design in the Built Environment

Biophilic design is a hot trend in design, but what is it and how can building professionals incorporate these strategies for the benefits of occupants? This eHandbook offers ...

The Benefits of Migrating from Analog to DMR Two-Way Radios

Are you still using analog two-way radios? Download this white paper and discover the simple and cost-effective migration path to digital DMR radios that deliver improved audio...