F1 is a visionary mixed-use development located in Boston’s Raymond L. Flynn Marine Industrial Park. This project uniquely blends retail spaces, high-tech laboratories, and marine industrial uses within a shared facility. While the merging of these programs may seem unconventional, the design implements the intent of the park’s Master Plan, illustrating how current development trends can drive toward an even greater future.

Architectural Concept

The architecture draws from the vocabulary of simple industrial forms of the past, reimagined to speak clearly to a future where experimental technology and industry converge. The building is molded and augmented to reflect this synthesis, creating a dialogue between historical industrial aesthetics and contemporary innovation. This approach respects the site’s industrial heritage while projecting a forward-thinking vision.

Public Spaces and Urban Integration

Enveloping the building is a new public plaza designed to facilitate interaction among occupants, visitors, and the community. This space enhances connectivity by integrating a growing number of amenities and transit options, contributing to the vibrancy of the Marine Park. The plaza serves as an active destination and iconic public space, promoting social engagement and fostering a sense of place.

Human-Centered Design

F1 embraces planning principles essential for modern urban life by balancing the functional requirements of machinery and equipment with the needs of human occupants. The design prioritizes human experience, ensuring that spaces are efficient, welcoming, and conducive to collaboration. This human-centric approach marks a departure from traditional industrial facilities, highlighting the project’s innovative character.

Alignment with the Master Plan

By integrating retail, laboratory, and marine industrial uses, the project demonstrates a progressive approach to urban development that aligns with the park’s Master Plan. It showcases how diverse programs can coexist within a single facility, driving economic growth and illustrating a model for future developments in similar urban contexts.

Cultural and Historical Context

Respecting and leveraging the history of the site, F1 acknowledges its industrial roots while gesturing toward a future Boston yet to come. The project creates an environment where the merging of new experimental technology and industry is evident, contributing to the city’s evolving architectural narrative.