Just steps from Harvard Square, a new Class-A office setting carved out of the interiors of three adjacent buildings—two of which are historic—has garnered attention for its focus on wellness and sustainability combined with support for innovation, collaboration, and hybrid work arrangements.
Designed by the workplace experts at national firm Dyer Brown, the 16,000-square-foot coworking-style headquarters was originally conceived for a nonprofit seeking to attract the best and brightest among area students and professionals, including Harvard and MIT grads. The design team says the space at 20 Brattle Street, branded The Abbott by developer Regency Centers, is one of the most sustainably designed, wellness-focused spec suites on offer in a major U.S. market.
Driven in part by the energy and preferences of Generation Z—the demographic cohort now entering higher education and the workforce in large numbers—the design reflects critical shifts in trends shaping the workplace of the future. According to Sara Ross, principal and director of enterprise services with Dyer Brown, the emphasis on hybrid work arrangements, productive collaboration, robust data infrastructure, and undesignated desking reflects how the rise of Gen Z will impact work environments for years to come.
The same is true but even more so, she says, for the focus on occupant well-being and sustainable building practice.
Says Ross, “The reimagining of 20 Brattle represents an emerging paradigm in workplace strategy, and stands as a kind of prototype design to support the culture and workflow of the kinds of forward-thinking organizations that members of Generation Z overwhelmingly say they want to work for. These digital natives bring critical skills and valuable perspective to the table. Recruitment and retention efforts must include attention to this kind of office design approach.”
Say the developers of The Abbott, 20 Brattle is “the most iconic building in the heart of Harvard Square,” adding that “Regency Centers is leading a tremendous redevelopment of the building, featuring a new retail and cool, creative office space with modern and hygienically considerate accommodations.”
Future Workplace, Now
Dyer Brown’s experts back up their claims not only with outside research, but with their own. The visioning phase for the project included direct engagement and surveys with students, emerging entrepreneurs, and others seen as likely to utilize the space. These user-stakeholders were even enlisted to provide basic research into critical technology needs and feedback on the office products, systems, and interior materials under consideration by the designers.
The surveys and other contributions led to the incorporation of a number of state-of-the-art design concepts, including:
- Far-ultraviolet (far-UV) sanitation technology in the ventilation system to eliminate contagions from the circulated air—noiselessly producing the air quality equivalent of having a consistent 30-mph outdoor breeze blowing through the venue.
- Circadian lighting systems to support the physical and mental well-being of occupants, including those who may keep atypical work hours. Even the table lamps were specified for their ability to align with circadian rhythms, harmonizing with the abundant natural daylight throughout.
- Eliminating distractions of light and noise was a priority. For example, ceilings feature arrangements of acoustic panels overhead in soothing green while the wall construction specifications ensure superior noise mitigation between rooms.
- Quiet and relaxation, and an appreciation for neurodivergence, which led to inclusion of dedicated quiet spaces for mediation, reflection, or prayer. A Japanese-style welcome area encourages visitors to remove their shoes, minimizing ambient sound and increasing the sense of relaxation.
- Biophilic elements such as natural wood and stone and a living green wall installation complement the exposed brick. While not yet certified, the project tracked LEED-CI Gold and then went further in sustainable design thinking by adhering to a near-vegan standard for materials.
The innovative workplace also supports a wide range of uses. To start, 20 Brattle is designed like an unofficial campus extension to support the existing Cambridge academic culture and community. The workplace features a variety of huddle spaces and meeting rooms equipped with monitors, writable wall surfaces, and nontraditional furnishings to support spontaneous breakout sessions. Additionally the office environment features desirable amenities such as a podcast studio, showers, and a large café amenity doubling as an event space.
Dyer Brown’s bespoke environment for 20 Brattle is crafted to foster creativity and collaboration. The design sparks a sense of wonder through unexpected combinations of saturated colors and textures that inspire rather than distract. Integrating all of these aspects into a highly marketable space that unites three adjacent historic buildings presented additional challenges. Designers coordinated closely with project team partners to address engineering and other technical issues, ultimately delivering infrastructure upgrades that support the goals of sustainability, wellness, and productivity for a modern, digitally active workforce.
*Announcement has been lightly edited for clarity.