by George Budri
Many of BW Kennedy & Co.’s projects serve clients in the life sciences and advanced manufacturing industries, where facilities require sophisticated mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems, as well as numerous specialized technical features. These companies are often located within multi-building research or manufacturing campuses, where laboratories, cleanrooms, and highly complex equipment are the norm.
Also important to the success of these campuses, however, are the shared amenities that support the people who work there. Whether housed in a dedicated building or integrated into a larger facility, amenities centers provide spaces where employees can dine, exercise, collaborate, recharge, and gather for after-hours events, fostering a stronger sense of community across the campus.
BW Kennedy’s expertise extends beyond technical laboratory and manufacturing environments to the construction of these thoughtfully designed amenities spaces. Our experience includes building full-service eateries with commissary kitchens and restaurants, bike storage facilities, outdoor gathering areas with fire pits, and recreational features such as fitness centers and bocce courts. While amenities centers may represent a smaller portion of an overall campus, they play a vital role in enhancing the employee experience and creating a vibrant workplace culture.
One of our most recent projects, The Canteen, is the centerpiece amenity building at the 750,000-square-foot Pathways Devens biomanufacturing campus. Located on Jackson Road, the standalone facility is open to both Pathways Devens employees and the public, creating a unique destination for the Devens community. The building features a Sterling Street Brewery taproom, a café, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, and even a golf simulator.
In addition to its public offerings, the 7,175-square-foot facility includes private tenant amenities such as conference rooms, a gaming room, a wellness room, locker rooms and showers, and a light-filled winter garden where employees can work, socialize, play games, or simply unwind. The Canteen exemplifies how thoughtfully designed amenities can transform a campus by creating opportunities for collaboration, connection, and community while enhancing the overall employee experience.
George Budri is the director of marketing at BW Kennedy & Co.
