Assignment 2 – Genzyme Center

Site Context:

The Genzyme Center is located in the Kendall Square area of Cambridge, MA. In the past the area has been predominately industrial – factories, utility operations and parking lots. In recent years the area has undergone significant change and will evolve into a cultural, recreational and retail hub. The site is just to the east of the MIT campus and north of the Charles River. Its former use was a coal gasification plant. To prepare the site for reuse in underwent Brownfield remediation.

Views out of the building to adjacent features.

Program Area:

The design proposal strongly emphasized a design that grew from the work environment out. This concept allowed the opportunity to break up the building volume into smaller volumes. Designers could then introduce areas of interior light an terraced interior openings. The “green” concepts worked hand in hand with the initial design intent.

Bubble Diagram

Ground Floor Plan/Views:

Views into the building.

Section/Elevation:

The building functions are centered around a central atrium. Daylight is allowed to flood the building and is directed into the Atrium through a prismatic skylight by the Heliostate.

Daylight from the exterior is directed to reflective ceiling panels which carry the light into the core of the building.

This Diagram illustrates how a stack ventilation configuration.

This elevation shows how the “Inside-Out” concept breaks up the exterior façade – Interior functions influence the exterior skin.