A robotics laboratory is a unique kind of place. At its core is a near-magical process: the invention, testing, and creation of the animated machines that will shape the 21st century. Boston Dynamics – a world-renowned robotics engineering firm – wanted everyone who entered their new headquarters to be not just visually but also viscerally connected to this creative process; a process that very much paralleled the design approach Bergmeyer brought to this assignment. To make these connections work and capture the company’s innovative, open, and dynamic culture, we had to draw deeply from our history of using design to tell stories.
The Design Process
Creating a corporate headquarters that would support Boston Dynamics’ rapidly growing engineering, research and development, and customer support teams while not losing sight of what's at the core of their culture – collaboration, wellness, and connectivity – was one of the primary objectives. The laboratories also needed to be adaptable to their ever-changing environment and durable enough to withstand the activity of the engineers and robots.
Spanning three levels, the 180,000 SF facility was built within an existing space. Leveraging the building’s sectional qualities, the mezzanine was extended to create cantilevered meeting rooms overlooking the robotics labs. Multiple laboratories were designed to support their people and creations, from fabrication, engineering, and bringing their sophisticated robots to market. Open stairs and generous exterior and interior glazing allow diagonal views and natural sunlight to crisscross into every corner of the facility.
Employee health and well-being were also a high priority for Boston Dynamics. The headquarters provides physical activity opportunities, views to the outdoors, and daylighting throughout the entire workplace. Uniquely people-centric spaces such as the lobby’s “robot gallery,” the multi-leveled Town Hall space, the kitchens and dining spaces, fitness rooms, and mothers and quiet rooms were designed with hospitality in mind to give the workplace an invitingly casual and playful feel.
The result is a home that tells the unique story of the Boston Dynamics family; robots included.
Awards
- Rethinking the Future 2022 Award Winner https://awards.re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-awards-2022-winners/boston-dynamics-bergmeyer/
- IIDA New England's Design Awards "Workplace of 80K SQ FT Winner" https://www.iidane.org/assets/DA%202021_Event%20Presentation_Winners.pdf
- Architizer A+ Awards "People's Choice Winner" https://winners.architizerawards.com/2021/Plus/concepts-11/architecture-workspace-9/boston-dynamics/
Creative. Connected. Curious. We are a design collaborative; inspired through partnership, thoughtfully creative, inherently curious and driven to fulfill our clients’ needs.
Our approach to design is empowering and ego-free, forming proactive partnerships with our clients and project teams to create a shared sense of ownership throughout the entire creative process.
We design for our clients’ clients, the people whose lives and experiences are enhanced by our work. We challenge ourselves to focus first on understanding the end user - the customers, students, employees, visitors, residents - while delivering on our clients’ vision and return on investment.
Services include Architecture, Interior Design, Branding, Graphic Design, Strategy. Visual Merchandising, Program Management, Sustainability Consulting, Placemaking, and Event Design + Activation.
Markets include Retail, Restaurant, Workplace, Commercial, Multi-Family Residential, Academic, Cultural, Hospitality, Healthcare, and Pop-Up + Temporary Experiences.
For more information on Bergmeyer please visit www.bergmeyer.com or call 617-542-1025 (BOS) 213-337-1090 (LA)
