Project of the Month: Ci Design, Inc. and J. Calnan & Associates design and construct 95,000 s/f hub for Red Thread

Andover, MA As organizations continue to navigate changing workplace expectations, evolving technology needs, and increasingly complex project delivery models, the spaces supporting those efforts need to adapt, too. 

For Red Thread, that meant creating a new 95,000 s/f integrated hub in Andover. Designed by Ci Design, Inc. and constructed by J. Calnan & Associates, the environment brings together warehouse operations, a technology lab, mid-market solutions, customer experience spaces, and aesthetically pleasing yet functional workspace under one roof. The result is a purpose-built space designed to improve collaboration, increase efficiency, and provide clients with greater visibility into how integrated environments come together.

As a company that helps organizations navigate complex workplace projects every day, Andover provided an opportunity for Red Thread to apply that same expertise to its own environment. Every decision, from warehouse operations and technology integration to architectural walls and workplace planning, was guided by the same goals they help clients achieve: strengthening collaboration, reducing complexity, and creating greater flexibility for the future.

“When we set out to create Andover, we wanted to challenge ourselves to rethink how a space could better support our teams, our process, and ultimately our clients,” said Catherine Mendel, executive vice president at Red Thread. “What emerged is much more than a warehouse or showroom. Andover is a fully connected environment where operations, technology, and workplace solutions come together in real time. It gives clients visibility into the behind-the-scenes coordination that drives successful projects while creating a more collaborative, flexible experience for our own teams.”

A key feature of the space is its highly efficient warehouse operation. High-density storage racks reach 36 feet high, significantly increasing storage capacity while reducing the overall footprint required. Wire-guided material handling equipment operates safely within narrow aisles, improving accuracy and maximizing vertical storage. The warehouse was intentionally designed to provide flexibility for changing project schedules and supply chain realities, helping Red Thread better support clients when timelines shift.

“What made this project especially successful was the level of collaboration from the very beginning,” said Stephen Robak, executive vice president and partner at J. Calnan & Associates. “The project team stayed closely aligned through consistent communication and decision-making, which kept the project moving efficiently. Bringing engineering and trade partners into the process early also led to smarter, more practical solutions that balanced design intent, cost, and constructability.”

The project team embraced an integrated design-build delivery approach that involved early coordination among design, engineering, construction, and operational stakeholders. Regular collaboration sessions allowed teams to address challenges proactively, streamline decision-making, and ensure the final facility met both operational and experiential goals.

In many ways, Andover serves as a full-scale demonstration of Red Thread’s integrated approach. The facility includes a mid-market showroom, customer lounge, flexible mock-up spaces, one of the most comprehensive PurOptima wall displays in the United States, and an expanded technology lab that supports testing, programming, quality control, and client demonstrations. Together, these environments allow clients to experience solutions firsthand, evaluate options in context, and make more informed decisions before implementation begins.

According to Chris Ladd, vice president and COO at Ci Design, Inc., the project represents a growing emphasis on human-centered, flexible environments that support multiple functions while improving the user experience.

“Historically, warehouse, technology, and workplace environments have often existed independently,” said Ladd. “What makes Andover unique is the intentional integration of those functions into a single destination. The visibility between spaces, flexibility of use, and ability to support both operations and client engagement creates a more connected experience for everyone involved.”

The location also improves accessibility for employees, clients, and partners across Greater Boston, the North Shore, Southern New Hampshire, and the broader New England region. The facility also complements Red Thread’s existing North Haven operations center, strengthening regional coordination across warehouses, technology services, and project teams. The move was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, while allowing Red Thread to maintain uninterrupted service throughout the transition. 

The new hub points to a broader trend across industries: organizations are increasingly seeking facilities that can adapt to changing business needs with greater confidence, predictability, and control. By combining operations, technology, and workplace expertise under one roof, Red Thread’s new facility demonstrates how thoughtful planning and cross-functional collaboration can create environments that perform as well behind the scenes as they do for the people using them. 

The projet team includes:

• J. Calnan & Associates - Construction Manager
• Ci Design, Inc. - Architect
• Red Thread - Owner
• Mass Cabinets Inc. - Millwork / Finish Carpentry
• SW Electrical Contractors - Electric
• Century Glass - Glass & Glazing