Margulies Perruzzi Architects helps Forrester Research achieve LEED Platinum certification

The shift toward green office design is moving at a fast clip around the country. Companies are not only looking for more energy-efficient and sustainable features, but also workplace efficiency and wellness. Recently, Margulies Perruzzi Architects (MPA) helped a longtime client reach beyond the gold standard in green design - to a LEED Platinum for Commercial Interiors certification. Forrester Research, Inc. achieved that designation with MPA's design of its new six-story, 190,000 s/f corporate headquarters at Cambridge Discovery Park in Cambridge, Mass. LEED Platinum certification is the highest possible rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, and the Forrester project is one of the few corporate commercial interiors projects in Cambridge to earn the distinction. Factors that contributed to the LEED Platinum rating included the selection of a LEED Gold base building. The design will result in a 35% reduction in water use, and a 35% reduction in lighting power due to the use of LED lighting and daylight responsive controls. Energy Star-rated equipment and appliances are also being used in Forrester's headquarters. During the building process, 97% FSC certified wood products were used and almost 80% of construction waste was diverted from landfills. Forrester Research is an independent research firm that provides forward-thinking advice to global leaders in business and technology. That same line of thinking was applied to the new office space, which is not only sustainable, but embraces an alternative workplace design aimed at fostering collaboration and communication. With no private offices, the new headquarters features an open workspace with workstations clustered around white-board clad team rooms, creating neighborhoods with community spaces. In addition to the team rooms distributed around the space, there are quiet rooms for concentrated work and larger glass-fronted team rooms clustered at the center of each floor. Kitchen areas, lounges, and a café create a welcoming environment for both employees and visiting clients. And in another nod to nature, the building overlooks a newly restored "Urban Wild," a naturalistic designed landscape that can be used for recreational purposes. For more than a decade, MPA and Forrester have been partners on multiple projects, including the recent design of Forrester's New York City and San Francisco offices. "Having worked together for ten years, MPA understands our collaborative culture and flexible work style, as well as the importance of sustainability to our company," said Jean Baranowski, vice president of corporate services at Forrester Research. "We are proud of our new headquarters and this well-deserved LEED Platinum certification." MPA and Forrester are leading by example for companies looking to move from the cubicle - to a more innovative and green-conscious way of working. Janet Morra, AIA, LEED AP ID+C, is a principal at Margulies Perruzzi Architects, Boston.