MIT Operations Research Center

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

The Operations Research Center is a workspace for masters and PhD students who are enrolled in the Operations Research Center program which teaches analytics and a multidisciplinary approach to solve problems and inform decision making. MIT asked Jones to explore how the Center could accommodate the growing number of students enrolling in the program by better utilizing the existing footprint. We proposed to open the space up to the perimeter where there had previously been enclosed offices in an effort to make the space feel bigger and brighter and to accommodate an open office bench desking furniture scheme. A few existing program pieces were relocated and new program elements—additional break-out rooms, print stations, a kitchenette, café and soft seating—were added forming two centralized “amenity blocks” easily accessible to the open workspace.

“They listened to our needs and requests…[and] took time…to meet with our students to gather their input on what would be an ideal working environment for them…The ORCC is such an inviting, modern place now and is not only a great place for students to study but offers students many different areas in which they can just hang around and socialize…I am very impressed with the outcome of the renovation.”

— Laura Rose, Academic Administrator, MIT Operations Research Center