4,040-SF Renovation by Vantage Builders Includes Model Shop, Test Lab and Workshop
Vantage Builders, Inc., a general contracting and construction firm based in Waltham, Mass., today announced that it completed the expansion of the corporate headquarters of Radius Innovation & Development, at the Watch Factory, 221 Crescent Street in Waltham, Mass.
Radius, a global innovation and development consultancy firm specializing in the healthcare, consumer, commercial equipment, and packaging industries, needed to increase its space in the Watch Factory to keep up with increased demand for its expertise. Building ownership, Berkeley Investments Inc., hired Vantage for the 4,040-square-foot project.
“In order to best support our diverse set of clients in their goals of successfully bringing new, innovative products to market, we needed to expand our corporate office,” said Ryan Hall, Director of Innovation, Radius Innovation & Development. “Our staff includes brand and product strategists, researchers, human factors specialists, designers, engineers, and quality and implementation professionals, each of whom need the proper work, lab and collaboration space to effectively solve our client’s needs. Vantage Builders completed the project professionally and on time.”
Following designs by LaFreniere Architects, Vantage Builders expanded Radius’ footprint in the building, keeping construction noise to a minimum so as to not disrupt the very active work environment. The new space includes an assembly area, workshop, and test lab where Radius team members craft product models and functional prototypes. They also perform small scale builds and verification testing for clients through sculpting and forming, machining, thermo-forming, additive manufacturing, and a variety of other techniques.
An Observation Room and Usability Lab provides a space to conduct market research and observe clients testing and using new products. The room features a one-way mirror and high-end audio/visual equipment.
Efficient lighting installed throughout helps create a bright atmosphere. Carpeting was installed in the common areas and conference room, while VCT (vinyl composition tile) was placed in the workshops. Vantage renovated the kitchen area with new counters, millwork and paint.
The new floorplan required a rework of the sprinkler, fire alarm and HVAC systems, including the addition of an exhaust fan with ductwork up to the second-floor roof. Compressed air lines were installed from the utility room to 13 outlets throughout the new space.
The project team included LaFreniere Architects, engineering services from Zade Associates and audio/visual and data work by DGI Communications.
About Radius Innovation & Development
Radius is an innovation and product development firm organized to help businesses define a path to success and then realize it through superior user-inspired design and execution. With deep, integrated manufacturing experience and capabilities, our model is purposefully designed to bridge and accelerate the right ideas to market while reducing risk and maximizing return on investment. In studios around the world, teams of talented brand and product strategists, researchers, human factors specialists, designers, engineers, and quality and implementation professionals work together. Traditional functional silos are replaced with constant iteration, testing, and customer/user touch points integrated throughout phases of discovery, design, development, and delivery. For more information, please visit www.RadiusInnovation.com or follow us on Twitter: @RadiusInnovates.
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