From Sweets to Science

From Sweets to Science The Transformation of 250 Massachusetts Avenue 2 From Sweets to Science Transforming an almost 80-year-old candy factory into a state-of-the-art laboratory to enable, stimulate, and excite world-class scientists to research and discover innovative drugs, took the dedication, creativity, and inexhaustible energy of hundreds of people. The former candy factory owned and operated by the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO), at 250 Massachusetts Avenue, was identified as the headquarters of the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) in August 2002. Novartis communicated to an experienced team of architects and designers at The Stubbins Associates, Inc., the need to “invent” an interior environment that would encourage, foster, and facilitate collaboration and the exchange of ideas and knowledge between scientists. To operate as an efficient and productive organization, the building would have to: • Emphasize openness and transparency • Promote informal social interaction • Integrate interacting scientific disciplines • Make an efficient use of space • Energize the scientists The architects and designers planned a renovation that set new standards of laboratory design. John Moriarty & Associates, Inc. was contracted to do the job, and they fulfilled their task on budget and in record time. The NIBR global headquarters has been occupied and operational since April 2004. From Sweets to Science 1 History of 250 Massachusetts Avenue Until the middle of the 19th century, the land the former NECCO building occupies was tidal marsh. In 1853, railroad tracks were laid, and in 1890, Massachusetts Avenue was FACT: constructed, spurring commercial development. 2,000 miles of telephone and data cables The former NECCO building and its accompanying buildings were completed and occupied installed in 1927 and became the world headquarters for NECCO. At the time of its completion, the building was the largest and most modern factory in the world dedicated solely to the manufacture of candy. The factory had its own power plant, fire protection, laboratories, engineering offices, and a staffed medical center. Today, this building, which once produced candy hearts and candy wafers, has been transformed into the world headquarters for the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research. FACT: 250 miles of electric cables installed "The NECCO building will exist for the new generation not merely as a document in the growth of a new style, but as one of the most living and beautiful buildings in New England." — May 1928, The Arts, Alfred H. Barr, Jr., Founding Director, Museum of Modern Art, New York. 2 From Sweets to Science Transformation In May 2002, Novartis announced that it was moving the headquarters of its global drug discovery and research operations from Basel, Switzerland to Cambridge, MA, establishing new laboratory space for more than 1,000 scientists. Within a year, close to 300 scientists filled a new laboratory building at 100 Technology Square. A search to find space large enough for additional scientists was started. The building had to be structurally sound, with interior space amenable to conversion into laboratories, and in close proximity to existing facilities in Technology Square. The NECCO building and adjacent structures proved suitable to meet Novartis needs. The former factory has been converted into a laboratory building and the former power plant has been converted into an amenities building housing an auditorium and café. In addition, a parking structure was added for 400 cars. In December 2007, a five- story office building for Novartis associates was constructed on a parcel adjacent to the NECCO site, completing the build out of the NECCO space. FACT: Up to 600 construction FACT: workers on 90% of the site daily building’s space is laboratories From Sweets to Science 3 Timeline The design, demolition and renovation proceeded on a very tight timeline in order to accommodate the scientists NIBR was transferring and recruiting. June 2001 NECCO sells building to The DSF Group Novartis announces establishment of new research May 2002 headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts Demolition and environmental remediation of July 2002 NECCO building begins August 2002 Tenant Improvement Lab design started September 2002 Novartis signs a 45-year lease with The DSF Group Building permit issued by the City of Cambridge, floor March 2003 cutting begins for new atrium in main building April 2003 Transformation of power plant to amenities building begins May 2003 Construction of parking structure begins June 2003 Design plans complete Last floor is cut for atrium in main building, demolition and September 2003 environmental remediation completed in main building March 2004 Certificate of occupancy: Main laboratory building First scientists arrive and research begins, amenities April 2004 building completed, parking structure completed Certificate of occupancy: Amenities building and parking May 2004 structure January 2005 Novartis purchases building from The DSF Group FACT: 3,000 gallons of paint used FACT: FACT: 14,000 75 miles of electrical THHN/XHHW breakers wired wire installed and installed 4 From Sweets to Science Interior Spaces Atrium Located in the center of the building, the atrium serves as the building’s “nucleus,” connecting the two arms of the building’s U-shape. Many of the common use areas are also located adjacent to this space. The atrium spans all six floors and is topped off with a 1,571 square foot skylight. Constructing the atrium required cutting through six reinforced concrete floors and removing two support columns at each floor. The shape of the atrium is rounded and irregular, resembling that of an amoeba. Four glass elevators and a curving stairway are located in the atrium to facilitate the flow of people. Because of the skylight, natural light permeates all the open spaces adjacent to the atrium, as well as the building’s lobby on the ground floor. Lobby The lobby, formerly the factory’s loading dock, is marked by an inlaid stone design of a DNA molecule that starts in the sidewalk outside of the building and winds through the lobby, then out into the courtyard, ending at the parking garage. From Sweets to Science 5 Interior Spaces Bubble Rooms Two short hallways leading to each arm of the building’s U-shape begin in the atrium. These hallways connect with a perpendicular hallway that runs down the center of each arm of the U-shape. On every floor, at the junction of each hallway, is a conference room, called a “bubble room.” The walls of the circular bubble room are glass with three sliding white board panels. Lab/Work Spaces In direct contrast to individual, walled laboratories and offices found in older laboratory buildings, the new laboratories are large open spaces. The largest laboratory is 240 feet long, running about two-thirds of the length of the longer arm of the building. The laboratories are placed next to the exterior of the building, with individual offices for laboratory heads, desk areas for scientific staff, and additional conference rooms between the hallway and the laboratory. To emphasize openness and transparency, all offices have at least one glass wall. 6 From Sweets to Science Interior Spaces Auditorium The original power plant, which enclosed early 20th century coal-fired boilers for candy production, was converted to a 20,000 square foot amenities building, which houses a 180 seat auditorium equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment that allows activities to be transmitted across the building or across the world. Cafeteria Also housed in the original power plant is a full service cafeteria, open for breakfast and lunch, with capacity for 150 people. From Sweets to Science 7 Interior Spaces Break Areas On each floor, comfortable break areas located adjacent to the atrium promote informal social interaction. Each break area has tables and chairs, a kitchenette, vending machines, bulletin boards, and digital signage which promotes company news, initiatives and live streaming events. Wintergarden/250 Café The Wintergarden is the associate entrance to 250 Mass Ave. This space is home to several varieties of plants used for medicinal purposes such as therapies for inflammatory diseases and cardiovascular disorders. Also found in the Wintergarden is the company store and a café, where associates meet informally over coffee 8 From Sweets to Science Interior Spaces Energy, Safety & Environment Novartis is committed to providing its associates with the safest possible workplace and to protecting the environment. This building was designed and constructed in accordance with this commitment. FACT: 2,000 square Safety yards of vinyl wallcovering The building meets all of FM Global’s requirements for safety. As a result, 100% of the installed maximum achievable risk rating has been awarded to Novartis. In addition, to ensure associate comfort, a state-of-the-art air humidification system was installed. Environment Heating, ventilation, cooling and electrical equipment exceeds Massachusetts building requirements, resulting in substantial reduction of CO2 emissions to the environment (4,500 tons annually). A heat recovery system was also installed to minimize the amount of energy needed for heating in winter months. Energy Efficiency An $850,000 rebate from NSTAR was awarded to Novartis for electrical efficiency measures incorporated in the building’s design. These measures include: • Individually air-controlled fume hoods • Installation of high performance light fixtures • Installation of high performance chillers to ensure efficient energy use in production of chilled water FACT: 3,000 light fixtures installed From Sweets to Science 9 FACT: 1,000,000 total man hours logged during Historic Place construction FACT: 38 miles of plumbing While the building’s interior has been transformed into a 21st century state-of-the-art installed laboratory, its exterior has been restored to reflect its proud industrial past. Great care was taken to ensure eligibility for listing the building on the National Register of Historic Places. Properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places possess historic significance and integrity.

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