Medical College of Georgia Expands Interdisciplinary Research Building

The Medical College of Georgia (MCG) has completed construction of the Interdisciplinary Research Building (IRB) Phase II, a 94,000-sf expansion project. Designed by Lord, Aeck & Sargent of Atlanta, the $27.3-million, five-story project includes a mechanical penthouse and a life sciences incubator for developing biotech business from scientific discoveries. The facility provides research laboratory and office space for the MCG Department of Physiology, the Center for Biology and Genomic Medicine, and the Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development. In addition, the first floor of the building houses a vivarium for the MCG Office of Laboratory Animal Services.

Fostering interdisciplinary, collaborative research, the facility features an open lab design for the genomic medicine program and a more traditional design for the physiology research program. Housing flexible research laboratory and office space, the IRB Phase II includes many energy-efficient sustainable design features such as natural lighting, a re-circulated heating system and motion sensors on office lights. Housing five laboratory suites, each with its own lab support room and office space, the facility has laboratories on the second and third floors with two large open labs on the fourth floor. All labs incorporate moveable, height-adjustable casework and island benches. The project team included 2KM Architects of Augusta, Ga., as consulting architect and Turner Construction of Atlanta as construction manager.