The 105, an experience-focused biotechnology development

Structural engineering helps deliver a collaborative and cutting-edge research and development center for CRISPR Therapeutics in South Boston.

Location

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Client

Tishman Speyer

Architect

Payette

Project Status

Completed, 2022

LEED Certified

LEED Gold targeted

Classification

Class A Space

Science spaces in Boston

Boston’s Seaport has become one of the world’s largest life science hubs. WSP teams have contributed to several life science and laboratory projects in the area, for clients such as Decibel Therapeutics, Harvard University and Boston University.

The 105 by Breakthrough facility was fit out for CRISPR Therapeutics, a Switzerland-based gene editing company. Comprising 70 percent office space and 30 percent lab facilities, the 105 serves as CRISPR’s research and development headquarters. The first two floors are hospitality inspired and designed to build community around research. Cutting-edge lab spaces occupy the higher floors. WSP served as the structural engineer for both the base building and the CRISPR fit out.

Square Footage

263,000

Stories

8

Facilitating transparency

The lower two floors use a custom-designed uninterrupted glass wall that brings the outside in and keeps the building full of natural light. The research floors above also contain floor-to-ceiling glass panels for emphasized transparency and daylight. WSP Building Structures developed responsive design solutions to allow for cantilevered floor plates at each level, using an innovative design of small exterior perimeter hanger columns that maximize tenant space and window area.

Further, the architect designed the building’s exterior with traditionally inspired glazed terracotta that is common in Boston architecture. To modernize the look, dynamic panels undulate on the building’s surface, highlighting the windows and transparent corners. The structural design used an efficient system of steel framing to support the large façade panels, which were prefabricated and quickly constructed by the contractor.

Integrating flexibility

To ensure flexibility for this new life sciences facility, design allowed compartmentalized portions of the floor plan. Options for both open and private offices, open lab spaces, collaboration areas and conference rooms further add flexibility. Using proprietary vibration analysis tools, the WSP team optimized the floor framing to minimize the structural costs while providing the client with superior performance for sensitive equipment and laboratory benches.