Photo Courtesy of Warren Patterson Photography

Iron Mountain, Boston

The relocation of this information management firm's headquarters from a 128,000-sq-ft, nine-floor office to a two-floor, 112,000-sq-ft space required advanced planning and ongoing communication. The project began at the same time that Iron Mountain launched a mobile work force program, dubbed Mobile Mountaineers, which resulted in design changes, including the deletion of one floor from the total office space.

The fit-out, on the sixth and seventh floor of a 38-story building, more than doubled the number of conference rooms and added an executive briefing center. It included space for 450 in-office employees and 150 telecommuting workers.

The project also featured high-tech collaborative space for both large and small groups, with technology including flat screen panels, video conference systems and a cafeteria with a full kitchen. A two-story, open, interconnected staircase to unite the main reception area with the café and training center was a key component of the project.

The team worked around the base building's existing mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, adding the items that Iron Mountain needed for a high-tech office. Every MEP component was mapped out and coordinated prior to installation, a process that also wound up saving time and costs. The project was completed in seven months and included several energy-saving strategies. These included moving private offices away from perimeter positions in order to boost daylighting; installing motion-sensing task lighting at all work areas, which helped cut required energy use by 33%; and using low-flow plumbing fixtures, which decreased water use by 33%. The project has been submitted for LEED-Gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's rating system.

Key Players

Owner Iron Mountain

General Contractor and Construction Manager StructureTone

Lead Design Firm Margulies Perruzzi Architects