At Takeda’s Binney Street Office location, the first and fifth floors were the final floors in the building to be completed. Initiated shortly before the pandemic and created to provide a separate and adjacent workspace to the research labs, the client and team took the time to re-evaluate the original goals to upgrade an older facility into a workplace that celebrated health and wellness. Perkins Eastman’s post-covid workplace research was used to inform the hybrid work model approach.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals emphasizes its core values of transparency, inclusion, collaboration, innovation, and sustainability every day. Each project must express these ideals to connect key projects and employees across the U.S. with Takeda’s spirit and principles. A variety of design elements includes both open and transparent collaboration areas and private, heads-down spaces. Sound mitigation and access to natural light were important components to both staff and leadership. Demountable partitions and movable furniture allow for future flexibility and opportunities for staff to vary their postures throughout the day. Each neighborhood of the renovated workspace has the ability to easily adjust to the mode that best suits the team. New room-scheduling software offers staff ease of access to coordinating conference-space availability.

Cleanability, ease of maintenance, durability, and sustainability are integral to the finish and surface material selections. Higher panels surrounding workstations offer staff additional protection when working away from the labs. All surfaces are white to highlight cleanliness. Both vertical wall surfaces and carpet tiles offer patterns to promote visual interest and movement.