University of Michigan Builds Life Sciences Institute

The University of Michigan is building the $96-million, 235,000-gsf Life Sciences Institute comprised of six floors and a mechanical penthouse. Part of the of Palmer Drive Development, the facility will house the newly created Life Sciences Institute, established to enhance education, basic research and translational research in the life sciences. The Life Sciences Institute will house 150,000 nsf of wet research labs, lab support, core lab areas, principal investigator offices, interaction spaces, administrative offices, a combined gallery/lobby space, and a small library. The 325 to 375 Institute staff will have access to complementary facilities at other buildings including computational laboratories, dry labs, conference and meeting facilities, a 140-seat lecture space, and food service operations. Construction began on the Institute in August 2000 and is slated for completion in September of 2003. Smith Group is lead designer for the project, working with designers Venturi, Scott, Brown & Associates. Barton Malow Company is the builder.