Project

MassRobotics – 2nd Floor

Advancing Innovation: MassRobotics Expansion in Seaport District

The industrial automation and human-robot interaction lab facility added 25,000 sf of versatile workspace, meticulously designed to foster innovation and collaboration.

The space now boasts state-of-the-art conference rooms, cutting-edge labs, ample machine shop space, and a modern kitchen area; providing a conducive environment for research and development in the life science sector.

Location: Boston, MA

Owner: MassRobotics

Architect: STADesign

Small telepresence robot on a polished concrete hallway floor, with bright red accent walls, wood-framed office doors, and a lounge area in the background.

Two-armed red industrial robot on wheels, decorated with a floral shirt and lei, standing in a workshop with shelving units, storage bins, and an exit sign overhead.

Built for Robots, Built by Robots

TOCCI embraced MassRobotics’ mission by incorporating robotics into the construction process itself. Artaic’s robotic fabrication system created a custom mosaic in the lobby with speed and precision impossible by hand. A robotic painter delivered flawless wall finishes, ensuring consistency across large surface areas while reducing labor-intensive work. These integrations not only aligned with the client’s brand but also highlights how these tools are shaping the future of the AEC industry.

Robotic painting arm on a mobile base positioned in front of a wall covered in protective plastic sheeting and tape, in a room under renovation with exposed ceiling and pipes.

Expanding the Future of Robotics

This project transformed MassRobotics into the largest independent robotics hub in the U.S. The project delivers purpose-built labs, adaptable collaboration spaces, and event facilities that position Boston’s Seaport as a global center for robotics research, prototyping, and community growth.

Scaling for Growth
The 25,000 sf expansion doubled MassRobotics’ footprint to 40,000 sf, making it the largest independent robotics hub in the U.S. The new facility supports 70+ startups, 200+ employees, and a rapidly scaling global community.

Adaptive Space Planning
The space combines specialized labs, machine shops, and testing areas with flexible offices, a café and a 100-person event hall. It is engineered to shift seamlessly from daily R&D to industry-wide gatherings.

Technical Spaces, Tailored:
Human–Robot Interaction labs, Industrial Automation labs, electronics labs, and machine shops each demanded distinct planning for equipment, power, and safety requirement. The spaces were built for rapid prototyping and testing.

View through a window into a robotics lab showing a humanoid robot suspended by a harness and hoist, surrounded by equipment, banners, and organizational posters.

Renovating Within an Active Innovation Hub

TOCCI phased construction within a live innovation ecosystem, managing noise, dust, and disruption without interrupting operations. Careful sequencing allowed startups to keep working while the occupied space transformed around them.

Complex Technical Space Requirements

From Human–Robot Interaction and Industrial Automation labs to electronics labs and machine shops, each space required unique infrastructure and safety considerations. TOCCI delivered multiple specialized environments under one roof with precision and care.

Aggressive Schedule + Stakeholder Alignment

The expansion balanced state funding and support from 35+ corporate partners. TOCCI kept the project on track, coordinating multiple stakeholders while ensuring schedule certainty and seamless execution.