Tocci is working as Program Manager for the Alexandria Center Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

The first project coming out of the ground, 225 Binney Street, is the future corporate headquarters for Biogen Idec. This project is one of a handful of proposed life science projects that are set to change the innovation landscape in Kendall Square. The project has come a long way since we first wrote about our highly collaborative project delivery (HCPD) process for this project. The HCPD approach leveraged the benefits of colocation during design and construction coordination.

Here’s how that collaborative design process has evolved in the field:

The project used a soil mix wall as the support of the excavation system. A concrete cap beam was installed on top of the soil mix wall, similar to a slurry wall. Soldier piles with shear studs were embedded in the soil mix wall. The shear studs connect to an interior 1-sided concrete wall. All steel superstructure is independent of the soil mix wall and tied into the concrete core. This relatively unique foundation design provided great schedule benefits by removing the below-grade concrete wall from the project’s critical path.

The superstructure consisted of a concrete core, rolled W-sections, and an engineered open joist system. The concrete core with overhead stair protection allowed the stairs to be installed prior to the completion of the steel erection.

The highly collaborative design and coordination process allowed for the early installation of pre-fabricated Mechanical, and Plumbing elements.

Prefabrication also facilitated an expedited schedule on the exterior skin. Curtainwall frames and punched windows were prefabricated off-sites

The building trades are hard at work. The construction team is confidently poised to deliver 225 Binney on schedule to complete Biogen Idec’s move back to Cambridge.