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AstraZenica Boston

Overview

Arup supported AstraZeneca in delivering a smart building strategy for its new Kendall Square campus near MIT. This project marked a pivotal shift from suburban to urban operations, aligning with AstraZeneca’s 2030 Bold Ambition for sustainability, innovation, and efficiency. The Kendall Square project focused on integrating advanced digital tools to optimize user experiences and operational performance while future-proofing infrastructure for evolving technologies.

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Challenge
AstraZeneca faced several challenges in its digital transformation journey for Kendall Square:

Decentralized Data and Inefficient Processes: Legacy systems limited real-time insights into space utilization and building operations, leading to inefficiencies.
Sustainability Goals at Risk:Without advanced environmental monitoring, meeting stringent sustainability metrics was challenging.
Limited User Engagement: Existing platforms lacked the capability to provide dynamic, user-centric services, such as personalized workspace management and seamless navigation.
Evolving Operational Needs: Transitioning from suburban to urban operations required rethinking logistics, access control, and energy management for compact spaces.

Focus Areas
Arup identified opportunities to enhance AstraZeneca's building management through a comprehensive digital transformation:
User-Centric Innovations: Deliver dynamic interfaces for occupants to personalize their workspace, interact with building systems, and navigate the campus seamlessly.
Sustainability Integration: Introduce advanced environmental monitoring and analytics to optimize energy use and align with AstraZeneca’s bold climate commitments.
Operational Excellence: Develop a centralized "single pane of glass" platform to integrate building data and empower real-time decision-making.
Scalability for the Future: Design an infrastructure capable of supporting additional smart technologies and digital capabilities.

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Outcome

The Kendall Square initiative showcases how thoughtful digital transformation can elevate building performance, user satisfaction, and sustainability. As AstraZeneca’s flagship urban campus, it sets a benchmark for integrating people-centric design with cutting-edge technologies. This project positions AstraZeneca to continuously innovate, ensuring its facilities remain aligned with organizational goals and technological advancements.

Benefits

The Kendall Square project delivered several transformative outcomes:

Optimized Space Utilization: Smart sensors provided real-time data on occupancy and trends, enabling agile workspace management.
Enhanced Sustainability: Environmental monitoring systems tracked air quality, CO2, and VOC levels, optimizing ventilation and reducing energy use.
Seamless User Experience: A unified workplace app allowed users to book desks, navigate the campus, and access facilities effortlessly.
Data-Driven Operations: A digital twin aggregated real-time and historical data, enabling predictive maintenance and resource allocation.
Future-Proof Infrastructure: Open protocols and modular designs supported AstraZeneca’s evolving digital ambitions.

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