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 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.  

California State University at San Marcos has selected architectural firm Robbins Jorgensen Christopher of San Diego as master plan architects for its 304-acre campus, including $140-million in capital projects currently in design or construction. The $7.4-million, 35,000-sf Clarke Field House, now under construction, will house student meeting space, athletic facilities, and a small convenience store.  

The University of Denver has completed the design of its new College of Law building. Designed by Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott of Boston, in association with H&L Architects of Denver, the 190,000-sf facility is the nation's first certified "green" law school. The $50-million building features 40% lower energy usage than comparable new buildings and includes ultra-low-emitting wood products, paints and carpeting, a groundwater recapture-recycle system for landscaping, and bicycle and electric car refueling capabilities.