For life sciences companies, innovation is the lens through which every decision is considered. The drive to push the boundaries of what’s possible extends beyond their own breakthroughs, leading many firms in the sector to seek out resilient, forward-looking spaces. Although the specialized, energy-hungry nature of lab operations often clashes with environmental goals, a new project in Boston demonstrates how thoughtful design can support cutting-edge research while minimizing resource use.
FORUM, a 350,000 square foot (32,500 sq m) life sciences building developed by Lendlease, is the first purpose-built life sciences building in Boston Landing, a mixed-use district in the city’s Allston-Brighton neighborhood. Targeting LEED Platinum, the recently opened building employs numerous strategies that enable companies to meet stringent regulatory requirements, reduce their carbon footprint, and achieve net zero operations.
Because life sciences companies typically have higher-than-normal ventilation rates and use energy-intensive equipment such as fume hoods, cold storage, and autoclaves—which can present obstacles to sustainability—these facilities must be designed around optimized infrastructure. At FORUM, performance-driven mechanical systems help address the high energy demands of life sciences businesses, while as much of the load as possible has been electrified. FORUM is 97 percent electric, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and helping future-proof the building against shifting energy markets and policy changes. Although the building operates on 100 percent renewable electricity for most of the year, all-electric heating alone isn’t practical during New England’s coldest months. To address this seasonal peak demand gap, Lendlease installed high-performance systems with state-of-the art heat recovery that ensure both energy efficiency and year-round reliability.
Building-integrated photovoltaics supplement grid power with clean energy. FORUM’s southern façade features approximately 1,600 square feet (150 sq m) of photovoltaic glass panels by Onyx Solar, providing on-site power that directly serves the building. Balancing aesthetics with efficiency, the system blends seamlessly into the glass exterior.
Beyond energy efficiency, FORUM also takes a thoughtful approach to water conservation. A 15,000 gallon (57,000 l) cistern in the basement collects rainwater from all of the building’s roof and terrace surfaces. The water is diverted into a graywater system, where it is primarily used for toilet flushing.
Lendlease’s commitment to green building practices—underscored by the firm’s Mission Zero campaign to achieve zero carbon emissions across all business activities—dovetails with the impact of sustainability on long-term investor value and attraction of high-quality tenants. The construction materials and methods used at FORUM illustrate this approach. Lendlease employed decarbonized strategies such as electric power tools, tower cranes running on 100 percent renewable electricity, and a waste management plan that diverted construction debris from landfills. In support of a lower-carbon materials strategy, Lendlease also performed a life-cycle cost analysis that resulted in a 10 percent reduction of embodied carbon. Working with vendors and subcontractors, the development team was able to source lower-carbon materials, including concrete, steel, gypsum board, and roof insulation. As a result of these efforts, recycled steel constitutes 90 percent of all steel used on the project. Additionally, fly ash replaced 20 percent to 40 percent of the Portland cement in the building’s concrete mix, with the substitution levels tailored to meet varying structural needs.
Lendlease developed FORUM with the goal of achieving net zero carbon operations. In conjunction with advanced energy-efficient systems and lower-carbon construction materials, ongoing monitoring and detailed analysis of the facility’s energy consumption, emissions, and system performance will be essential. This approach will help maintain peak operational efficiency and allow for timely adjustments, as needed, over the building’s lifespan.
Boston’s reputation as a global life sciences hub provides a strong foundation for FORUM, which will benefit from the city’s deep pool of research institutions, talent, and industry partners. A key differentiator, however, is Boston Landing itself. Although the district is notable for its mix of office, retail, restaurant, and entertainment venues, a robust transit infrastructure includes a nearby MBTA commuter rail station, multiple bus routes, and Bluebikes bike share stations. This connectivity supports the building’s sustainability objectives by offering convenient alternatives to car travel and reducing overall emissions. As an urban infill project, FORUM further mitigates the carbon impacts of urban sprawl while adding density and vitality to an already thriving neighborhood.
Thoughtfully balancing the life sciences sector’s rigorous operational requirements and high power demand is a complex challenge. Yet with high-efficiency systems, smart electrification, and lower-carbon materials, the industry is proving that performance and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. Forward-thinking investments now can help future-proof these buildings against evolving regulations and market expectations, thus supporting their long-term value and promoting the health of both the environment and building occupants.
