Boston, MA Margulies Perruzzi (MP), one of New England’s most innovative architectural and interior design firms, has completed a new 9,595 s/f headquarters in the Seaport District for the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.

The updated space is designed to allow for flexibility to maximize the usability of the space available. The suite at 9 Channel Center utilized movable walls between all conference rooms, allowing for reconfiguration depending on need, maximizing square footage. The space also features a large conference room with a moveable wall that allows the space to convert into an even larger space open for volunteer opportunities with their community partners or event staging space.

“It was clear that we needed a headquarters that addresses the demands of an organization that no longer requires a centralized location for its workforce,” said Bob Giannino, president and CEO at United Way of Mass. Bay and Merrimack Valley. “The historical brick and industrial mix design reflect United Way’s grounded, foundational role in the community yet also signals that we are an innovative organization that adapts to respond to current issues and needs in the community. Our new location s bright, energizing, and efficient while at the same time providing the flexibility our staff, volunteers, community members and corporate partners need to keep pace in today’s shifting environment.” 

United Way of Mass. Bay’s mission is to create positive, lasting change for those in need by harnessing the power of people working together. It achieves its mission by mobilizing people, businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies, neighborhoods and focuses to create better lives for those it serves in Eastern Massachusetts, Southeastern New Hampshire, and Maine.

Margulies Perruzzi designed the regional headquarters to reflect the United Way’s culture and branding while preserving the character of the former industrial building. The design includes bold colorful accents while staying true to historic elements such as exposed brick and beam. Margulies Perruzzi worked closely with the United Way to provide a variety of work settings that would best support the work style of their employees, including sit-to-stand workstations, open and enclosed huddle spaces, individual phone rooms, and a multi-purpose employee hub. Technology was integrated into all these work settings to maximize functionality.

The construction team was careful to retain and reuse materials to preserve capital for the nonprofit while creating high-quality, collaborative workspace that supports internal workflow and events with their community partners.

The project team includes:

Architect: Margulies Perruzzi

GC/CM: Gilbane Building Co.

MEP Engineer: Allied Consulting Engineering