William Harris
Title: Co-leader of the science and technology practice, Perkins + Will
Age: 60
Experience: 35 years
It’s no secret that traditional office space is rapidly giving way to open and collaborative environments, but lab and research facilities aren’t far behind. Life science companies are revamping their workspaces to take advantage of automated processes, shared equipment and flexible working styles. William Harris has overseen the design of these next-generation lab spaces at Boston architectural firm Perkins + Will for clients including Cambridge biotech companies Biogen Idec, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals and Sarepta Therapeutics, all in Cambridge.
Q: What is driving the transformation of R&D space?
A: The old academic models of labs were based upon fixed oak casework. The issue is when you’re in a research environment, things change more than in an academic environment teaching the same courses year after year. One of the first and earliest trends was really the movement toward more flexible caseworks – things that are not fixed in place, but moveable. That movement has taken off and now most labs have some combination of fixed and flexible casework: lab benches on wheels, tables moved around for a variety of purposes, plug-and-play utilities. The shelving above the benches is coming down. The vertical space in a lab is much more open. There’s transparency, lots of daylight, lots of visibility and glass in the work station world. By communicating better, it improves discovery and time to market. In biotech, it’s all about the speed to market, ways of better supporting their scientists.
Q: What were the key goals for the design of the Biogen Idec complex in Kendall Square that opened in February?
A: We’ve done a more open lab concept for them. It’s been very well-received among the scientists. A year ago we completed a project for Merrimack Pharmaceuticals (in Cambridge). They also broke down the barriers between office and lab space. One of the reasons is because of automation in the labs, there is a lot more movement between lab and tech desk and office space. It used to be the bench scientist stayed at the bench all day and they don’t anymore. They need the casual interaction in the hallway. All of the stuff we were doing in offices, we’re now doing in lab spaces. We’re bringing conference areas right into the lab space.
Q: How has the typical ratio of office and lab space changed?
A: Ten or 15 years ago, if no one told you otherwise you’d assume 60 percent lab and 40 percent office. And now it’s more often than not the other way around. Part of that is processes. So much analysis is done at the computer. Automation of processes does save space and companies are more sensitive to opportunities of sharing equipment.
Q: What’s unique about the Boston and Cambridge lab markets?
A: We have a disproportionate amount of leased lab space compared with the rest of the country, where you’re more likely to build your own. The biggest companies and institutions here lease their space, they don’t own it. What this means is the developers and landlords need to do it with an eye to how it will adapt itself over time to different tenants. We’re working with some developers to establish flex zones between office and lab space that can be set up for one and other. They also want to economize on the cost of infrastructure with labs.
Top Five Enjoyable Experiences:
- Family dinners on Sunday night.
- The 18-minute cut of Dave Matthews’ “Two Step.”
- Stargazing on a clear moonless night in the desert outside Santa Fe with (see number 4) …
- A glass of Black Maple Hill bourbon.
- Connecting people and ideas to see and create something new.
