Akamai
Explore Akamai's New 19-story Global Headquarters in Cambridge, MA
All Photos by ©Anton Grassl
Akamai’s New HQ & Their Aka-Mile Employee Connection
In November 2019, Akamai Technologies, an internet management gatekeeper, moved about 1,850 employees from several different buildings into their new 480,000 sf headquarters building at 145 Broadway in Cambridge’s Kendall Square.
The design incorporates the “Aka-Mile”. This mile-long walkway, connected by floor to floor stairs, emphasizes casual social spaces, collaborative spaces, and meeting spaces throughout the walk, for employees to gather, connect, and share ideas and thoughts.
The Officeworks team collaborated over a two year period with Akamai’s internal project team, design firm Sasaki, Northstar Project and Real Estate Services and Turner Construction to provide furniture specification, workstation mockup(s), design layout, renderings, budget management, project management, delivery and install.
Officeworks provided furniture solutions that fit Akamai’s connectivity culture and created a fun and collaborative workplace environment. The space includes game rooms, a barista coffee bar, large stair structures with stadium padded bench seating, about 350 meeting rooms, a library, a cafeteria, many smaller kitchens, a network operations command center, offices, and workstations.
Workstations were set up in smaller configurations with shoulder height panels that create privacy for the many engineering employees. Workstation selection was a very lengthy process that required 4 mockups ranging from 6-12 stations. Each Akamai user group was involved with the overall layout, size, finishes, and accessory selection.
“The selection of a furniture consultant was a vital part of the success of the overall project. We, as designers, had to keep Akamai’s vision in mind while creating seats and collaborative spaces for over 1,850 people. Officeworks’ team and teamwork were amazing. Their knowledge, expertise, and project management skills were unreal from start to final install,” said Colleen Barrett, Senior Associate at Sasaki.
Brian Murray, Senior Director, Global Real Estate & Workplace at Akamai, commented, “We knew FF&E would be a major factor in our new building. When furnishing a 19-floor headquarters building you have to make sure employees are smiling on day one and beyond. One of the first things you see is the reception area furniture then hundreds of other furnishings throughout the space. Officeworks was a pivotal team player to help and guide us all along the way.”
Teknion supplied the majority of product throughout the space. This included: Teknion Upstage workstations, Teknion Hi-Space electric tables, and offices with Teknion Expansion Height Adjustable Tables, storage credenzas with box/file and open bookcases, wall-mounted tack boards and freestanding meeting tables.
Other manufacturers include: Allermuir, Andreu World, Arper, Bernhardt, Boss Design, Buzzispace, Contemporary Cabinets, Cumberland, Davis, EnWork, ERDL, Fellowes, HBF, Hightower, Humanscale Landry Home Furnishings, JSI, Kelihauer, Leland, Level 4 Designs, Nucraft, OFS, Segis, Studio TK, Stylex, Teknion Custom Solutions, Vermont Farm Table and Vitra.
In addition to Akamai’s Cambridge, MA headquarters, Officeworks provided or will provide furnishings for projects in Seattle, WA; New York, NY; and Ottawa, CA.