MIT Conference Room

This partial 3rd floor renovation included the addition of three office spaces as well as the reconfiguring of two existing offices into an 8–10-person conference room. The configuration of the existing space was challenging as it sat within an angled corridor, with round columns in the hallway, and demountable walls which were no longer desired. BTGA approached these constraints as opportunities that would direct the design.

Reconfiguring the existing office spaces allowed for the creation of a “jewel box” glass conference room with one angled wall that could be approached from both corridors that lead toward the space. The glass enclosure–laminated for sound isolation and safety–also allows for additional light to enter these long interior passageways. A feature circular light fixture, which mirrors the layout of modular trapezoidal tables below, enhances the environment of the conference room. Careful placement and selection of interior finishes was key to the success of this project. The acoustic panel design around the monitor consists of modular squares in different sizes with an interesting 3d-form.  They mitigate any flutter echo within this small room. The use of interior glazed walls provided an opportunity to give context to the space as they allow for the application of graphics which, in this case, are suggestive of the global activities of the department that uses this space. The patterned global map graphic, designed by BTGA for the glazed walls, also serves as a sort of screening for conference room activities.  

The project design optimized the available square footage with a layout that is efficient, code compliant, and provides good circulation.

 

 

Client

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Location

Cambridge, MA

Year

2021