Developing Tomorrow's Medicines in Historic Digs

Entrada Therapeutics HQ
Boston, MA

 

The design for the new headquarters of Entrada Therapeutics, a drug development company, takes on the challenge of attracting and retaining their industry’s top scientific and entrepreneurial minds. Located in the Innovation and Design Building in Boston’s Seaport, the space foregoes the typical visual barrier between “lab” and “office” in favor of a connected workplace where a constant flow of science, dialogue, and collaboration takes place.

“You feel the energy throughout the labs and can hear it in the cafe during lunchtime,” says Natarajan Sethuraman, PhD, Entrada’s Chief Scientific Officer. “People are not just coming to work. They are here to connect, learn more about their scientific area of interest, and most importantly, develop new medicines for patients. Our people are really connected and friendly, and you can see how the collaborative environment leads to better science.”

Lab space with views of lunch break area at Entrada Therapeutics

 

Lab workers at Entrada Therapeutics HQ in the Seaport

Having quickly outgrown their original home at nearby SmartLabs 6 Tide, Entrada needed a larger space to scale up their ambitious science pursuits. The company tapped SMMA’s lab planning and design expertise to evaluate the potential of a new HQ in the Innovation and Design Building and strategically locate the company’s diverse lab portfolio across both facilities.  

View of lab to office connection at Entrada Therapeutics HQ in Boston

Originally designed as a World War 1-era army storehouse, the Innovation and Design Building features an unusually long, narrow floor plan. This presented a design opportunity: The chance to maximize collaboration between Entrada’s lab and support teams. Large glass partitions and doors provide transparency between north-facing lab spaces and south-facing spaces—all connected by an east-to-west “main street”. 

While the most intensive research work takes place in the variety of laboratory spaces, the support spaces play a critical role. The new HQ features a mix of open office space, breakout areas, and private and large conference rooms, as well as more tailored spaces such as bookable wellness rooms and phone booths. These diverse support spaces give Entrada employees the opportunity to work, connect with colleagues, or relax.

The interior design concept preserves the character of the 100-year-old building and provides a warm, comfortable feel as wished for by Entrada’s employees in early focus groups. Taking cues from the building’s existing curved columns and exposed concrete, the design embraces soft edges throughout the circulation path. This chimes with Entrada’s desire to provide an inviting workplace, as well as an accessible and welcoming space to host events for patients, industry professionals, and community members.

We have the best people and now we have the best facility. What’s remarkable is that this entire space was designed from scratch. We were able to design it in a way that supports our innovative and collaborative culture, so there are lots of collaboration spaces and places to enjoy one another's company.

Dipal Doshi

CEO of Entrada