Industry News

Biogen has opened the 1,100-sf Biogen Community Laboratory, a teaching lab located in one of the company's R&D facilities at its Cambridge headquarters. Featuring the most recent laboratory technology, the Community Laboratory will serve Cambridge public school students. 50 Cambridge Rindge and Latin School students participated in a molecular genetics class at the facility this summer.

The University of Michigan Medical School is building the new $220-million, 472,000-gsf Biomedical  Science Research Building  on its Ann Arbor campus. Containing 240 lab modules, each accommodating up to four researchers, the facility is designed to promote group interaction. Project features include an animal research facility, two levels below grade, and a 300-seat auditorium.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK) of St. Louis contracts to oversee initial projects of the Ames Modernization Program, a five-year, $430-million upgrade of the USDA animal disease research facilities on a 480-acre site in Ames, Iowa. The program will rebuild and centralize multiple laboratory and research centers, creating state-of-the-art laboratory and office environments in a campus designed for optimum functionality, flexibility, security, and future expansion.

The U.S. Navy has completed a $2.7-million cleanroom used to repair and refurbish hydraulic components for reuse in naval aircraft. The 8,500-sf facility was designed by Architects Larson/Carpenter of San Diego and built by construction company Soltek Pacific, also of San Diego.

Toyota Industries Corp. and automotive parts-maker Denso plan to build a 152-acre manufacturing plant near Pendergrass, Ga., comprised of between 200,000- to 400-000 sf. The facility will initially employ 150 workers when it opens in 2005. Toyota Industries Corp. is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp.