Industry News

Washington Hospital Center is developing an emergency department that converts quickly to terrorist-ready mode as needed. The full-service ER One is a prototype terrorism response unit that includes design specifications for a 21st century facility. The design plan, backed by $2.2 million in federal funding, could be finished in six to nine months, with model completion in 18 months. Security experts join physicians and paramedics from hospitals nationwide on the design team.

IBM Corp. is creating a low-power computing research center in Austin to develop energy efficient information technology. Based in Armonk, N.Y, IBM is establishing the Austin lab to increase the power efficiency of servers, software, computer chips and other technologies. IBM has undertaken a company-wide initiative to develop low-power computing.

Wyeth-Lederle, a subsidiary of Madison, N.J.-based American Home Products, completed a 40,000-sf addition to its Sanford facility in 2001 and has embarked on an additional 115,000-sf expansion. The $125-million project will increase employment from 540 to 800 workers, making Wyeth-Lederle the fourth-largest North Carolina biotech employer. The 345,000-sf facility will include manufacturing and R&D space. Wyeth-Lederle currently owns 215 acres in Sanford.

Chevron Corp. is relocating its corporate headquarters to the company's San Ramon campus. Chevron will move the remaining 200 San Francisco employees to Chevron's large corporate home in San Ramon, which currently houses 3,500 workers.

San Diego State University (SDSU) opened its new $16.5-million Aztech Athletics Center & Hall of Fame building in February 2002. Carrier Johnson, with offices in San Diego and Irvine, provided architectural and interior design services for the structure.