Margulies Perruzzi Architects' (MPA) high performance workspace design for Philips was honored with a 2012 Best Practice Award of Excellence by the Boston chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), a non-profit association dedicated to serving the facility management profession.
The IFMA Boston Awards of Excellence recognize the finest advancements and contributions in facility management. The award, given at a celebratory dinner on May 24th, honors the design/client teams whose facility management project has had a substantial, positive effect on the success of their organization, demonstrated innovation and impact on business objectives, and achieved "above and beyond" the normal scope of job responsibilities.
For the 32,000 s/f interior fit-up of Philips' new office environment, MPA provided interior architecture and corporate design services to translate the company's shift in work and corporate culture into a high performance workspace that aligns with work-from-home practices and technology, provides collaboration space and privacy, and promotes Philips' brand of improving the quality of people's lives by focusing on health and well-being. Philips, a globally diversified health and well-being company, moved into its new office at 200 Minuteman Rd. in Andover, Mass. in November 2011.
With no private offices, Philips' open workspace features 200 individual work-settings for 260 employees in a "free addressing" concept. To promote collaboration and interaction, the open workspace is arranged in seven "neighborhoods." To address privacy needs, small meeting rooms, enclosed work settings, and file/copy areas divide each neighborhood. At the center of the neighborhoods, a large, multi-functional and colorful "Town Square" anchors the office like an urban center, serving as a café and meeting room.

The ceiling layout, finishes, and lighting were strategically designed to provide a clear sense of circulation and aid in differentiating workspaces, collaboration space, and circulation. Colorful interior graphics with natural imagery mark the circulation path and vary in color to act as a wayfinding element. Philips' own LED light fixtures, lamps and controls were used throughout the project. Over 90% of the lighting is LED, offering energy-efficient light that makes the office environment more engaging and uses 25% less electricity than code mandate for energy consumption per square foot.

"The design of our new space provides opportunities for interaction and collaboration, while offering our staff the flexibility and mobility they need to do their jobs," said Jay Poswolsky, director of workplace innovation at Philips. "MPA has designed a livable and workable high performance workspace that leverages both technology and dynamic office design. MPA's talented team of designers are highly deserving of this recognition by IFMA Boston."

J. Calnan & Associates, Inc. provided pre-construction and construction management services, and CresaPartners, under the direction of Dwight Patten, provided project management services for the project. Brickstone Properties is the owner of the building at 200 Minuteman Road. The project team included HOK for signage and branding and R. G. Vanderweil Engineers for mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering. Creative Office Pavilion provided all the furniture for the project.

On May 24th, MPA also received a Section Award from the Boston Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society for the 2012 Illumination Awards program. The award recognizes MPA's lighting design for Philips' new high performance workspace.

About IFMA/Boston
Established in 1980, the International Facility Management Association is a non-profit, incorporated association dedicated to serving the facility management profession. The International organization provides education, research, publications, events, and alliances with other related associations and organizations. The Boston Chapter of IFMA was founded in 1984 by ten facility managers. Today the chapter numbers over 700 members, making it the second largest chapter in the world. Long recognized as one of the most active and progressive Chapters, the Chapter was honored as the 2007 International Chapter of the Year. For additional information, visit www.ifmaboston.org.

About Margulies Perruzzi Architects
Consistently ranked as one of Boston's top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi Architects creates buildings and corporate interiors for clients who value design. The firm services the corporate, professional services, healthcare, research/lab, and real estate communities with a focus on sustainable design. Clients include Manulife/John Hancock, Nuvera Fuel Cells, Reliant Medical Group, Sapient, Hobbs Brook Management and Forrester Research. For more information, please visit http://www.mp-architects.com.

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