Best Higher Education/Research: Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University

Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University

Cambridge, Mass.

BEST PROJECT

Submitted by Consigli Construction Co.

Owners: Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University

Lead Design Firm: Payette

Construction Manager: Consigli Construction Co.

Civil Engineer: Briston Engineering Advisors

MEP Engineer: Arup

Owner’s Project Manager: WaypointKLA

Collaboration is at the heart of this new 323,000-sq-ft facility, which brings together scientists, engineers and physicians from multiple disciplines to solve critical global health problems. Research areas include a variety of wet and dry labs, tissue culture rooms and a vivarium with holding and procedure space. Other features include conference rooms, classrooms, an auditorium and a child care center for employees. A dramatic single-helix monumental staircase forms a triangular shape in plain view and lands on structural steel framing rather than a slab on grade. Composed of 36 tons of steel and 15 tons of terrazzo and finishes, the staircase serves as a central design element that provides visual connectedness to the disparate disciplines.

Located on a tight urban site near sensitive facilities, the project required complex demolition, strict work-hour coordination and early agency engagement. Vibration monitoring throughout construction helped safeguard nearby structures, ensuring safety and compliance.

Photo by Warren Jagger courtesy of Consigli Construction Co.

The building’s complex facade includes 15 different systems and more than 120,000 sq ft of curtain wall, unitized panels, aluminum sunshade fins, a 1,200-sq-ft mass timber skylight, structural glass and stone from a Swiss quarry. A 16-month design-assist process fostered comprehensive planning across cost and schedule, resulting in a highly predictable construction process and enhanced quality. Offsite prefabrication of multiple building components helped streamline the project schedule and reduced costs amid pandemic-related supply chain disruptions.

Certified as LEED Gold, the electric-ready building exceeds the owner’s environmental efficiency goals by more than 60% and incorporates a variety of resilient features that ensure long-term performance, including triple-pane glazing assemblies that significantly enhance thermal performance, heat recovery chilled and hot water plants and high-efficiency plumbing fixtures. More than half of the roof area is vegetated, contributing to stormwater management, improved insulation and urban ecological benefits.