Lavallee Brensinger Architects received the Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture at the New Hampshire Chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ 31st Annual Awards Banquet on January 24th for the IDEXX Synergy Center in Westbrook, Maine.
A jury comprised of Boston Architectural College faculty members selected award recipients that exemplify excellence in overall design, including aesthetics, creativity, appropriate functionality, sustainability, building performance, and the completeness with which the client’s program has been fulfilled.
IDEXX Laboratories chose Lavallee Brensinger Architects to create an environment that fosters collaboration and promotes a culture of employee wellness. The core of the 108,000 square foot Synergy Center includes meeting spaces, a health food court, comprehensive wellness center, and employee health services, all equally accessible to and welcoming of the entire IDEXX community. The building was awarded LEED® Gold Certification and features sustainable elements throughout, including a green roof with patio for informal outdoor meetings overlooking the wooded preserve. Among these environments, both indoor and out, are amenities that promote employee wellness and enjoyment.
“By their very nature, the medical manufacturing laboratories must meet strict restraints to meet cleanliness and the protection of intellectual property,” the jury said. “This design solution creates an open new building and fills it with natural light and with the amenities to support the well-being of all company employees. The design jury cites the commendable building programming, strong campus planning and a LEED® Gold building certification.”