FORUM
SGA was retained by Lendlease and Ivanhoé Cambridge to design FORUM as part of the 1.15-acre Life Sciences development on the Boston Landing campus in Allston/Brighton, MA.
Engaged by Lendlease and Ivanhoé Cambridge, SGA was tasked to design a high-performance facility that adds a bold architectural statement to Boston Landing, while energizing the district and advancing its growing innovation hub. FORUM, the nine-story, 350,000-square-foot life sciences development in Boston’s Allston-Brighton neighborhood, offers a 60/40 split between lab and office space and includes a mix of public and private meeting areas as well as a robust amenity program and thoughtfully integrated outdoor spaces. As the district’s first purpose-built life sciences facility, the building's design is both iconic and sustainable, achieving net-zero carbon status and targeting LEED Platinum, WiredScore Platinum, and Fitwel certifications.
THE BUILDING FACADE
The building features a high-performance triple-glazed curtain wall system, delivering exceptional thermal performance across the entire façade. The cladding, which comprises a rich spectrum of copper hues, is applied to a series of chevron-shaped panels in varying widths. These panels are arranged in a gradient along the long elevations, reinforcing the building’s curved form and shifting subtly in response to solar exposure.
At the base of the building, SGA introduced a custom system of vertical fin extrusions that serves both functional and expressive design purposes. In selecting the material palette, SGA deliberately chose a distinctive contrast to the silver tones found throughout the Boston Landing campus to create a striking visual identity.
LOBBY + CAFE: A LIVING ROOM FOR THE BUILDING
From the moment occupants arrive via a curated art gallery, the lobby establishes a warm and social atmosphere; a “neighborhood living room” that is active throughout the day. Seating areas, flexible gathering zones, and a café serving coffee, lunch, and evening drinks invite both tenants and visitors to linger. The café and lobby share a cohesive design language and porous edges that extend activity outdoors into a thoughtfully detailed public realm. Art, texture, and light combine to create an elegant yet approachable experience that connects the building to the surrounding community.
UPPER-LEVEL AMENITIES: THE BUILDING’S “THIRD SPACE”
The third floor amenity space includes a generous kitchenette and a lounge space suitable for hosting events, as well as flexible meeting and conference space that tenants can reserve to support a range of workstyles. The interior program seamlessly flows onto an outdoor terrace that runs the length of the building and offers a diverse range of experiences, including areas for quiet work, social gatherings, and recreation, while providing views of the Back Bay and the Guest Street public realm.
A PRIME BOSTON LOCATION
FORUM’s location provides the neighboring community a vibrant public realm, boasting lush landscaping and an outdoor seating area that flows into the FORUM lobby – a double-height ceilinged space that has adjacent amenities, including a coffee and cocktail lounge and an art gallery to support local artists. The transit-oriented development is two blocks from a MBTA Commuter Rail station and within walking distance of other Boston Landing transit options like MBTA bus stops and Bluebikes bike share stations.
Its vicinity to the MBTA Boston Landing station required coordination with transit authorities to ensure safe and efficient operations. The tight 1.15-acre site, surrounded by busy mixed-use buildings, required innovative waterproofing solutions during excavation of the below-grade garage. Due to limited site access and nearby events, the project also demanded careful traffic coordination. The team managed additional complex logistics throughout the project, including crane erection, steel deliveries, and the deployment of 780 concrete trucks for the mat slab, all within a highly constrained space. As an infill project, FORUM also mitigates the carbon implications of urban sprawl while simultaneously adding to a rich, established region.
FORUM'S SUSTAINBILITY
In addition to achieving net-zero carbon status from day one, this 97% electric building was developed using a range of sustainable construction practices. Recycled steel and concrete helped reduce embodied carbon by more than 10%, while electric tower cranes operated entirely on renewable energy. Approximately 1,600 SF of Onyx Solar glass panels generate clean, on-site power that directly supports the building’s energy needs. Additionally, thoughtful waste diversion strategies were also implemented on-site to further minimize environmental impact.
Successfully navigating a constrained site and active urban context, FORUM brings best-in-class lab space to Boston Landing. The project exemplifies thoughtful planning, advanced safety practices, and a focus on wellness, sustainability, and connectivity. Its architecture stands out through a balanced blend of form and function, with distinct features that anchor the project to the neighborhood while establishing a dynamic presence.
FORUM was designed in collaboration with Consigli Construction Co., Inc., BR+A Consulting Engineers, and McNamara • Salvia.