The new 320,000-sf Knight Cancer Institute research building currently being built by Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) on the south waterfront in Portland, Ore., will maximize scientific collaboration for more than 500 researchers through the use of flexible floorplans, shared equipment cores, and new ratio configurations for wet and dry lab space.
Moderna Therapeutics began construction in October of 2016 on a $110 million clinical manufacturing facility in Norwood, Mass. Designed to meet current GMP and GLP standards, the 200,000-sf center will support the production of messenger RNA (mRNA) therapies and vaccines. DPS is providing architectural, engineering, construction management, commissioning, qualification, validation, and procurement services for the project. The clinical labs, offices, and ancillary spaces are being designed by TRIA.
Lake Forest College is engaged in a $43 million renovation and expansion of the renamed Lillard Science Center in Lake Forest, Ill. The project includes the construction a large addition as well as the development of two entirely new wings. Designed by Stantec to support progressive pedagogies for interdisciplinary teaching and research, the completed 130,000-sf facility will provide collaborative classrooms and laboratories for programs in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, neuroscience, and environmental studies.
Research has begun at the £650 million Francis Crick Institute in London. Designed by HOK in partnership with PLP Architecture, the 10-story, 980,000-sf facility can accommodate 1,250 scientists and 250 support staff engaged in interdisciplinary biomedical research. The Crick Institute represents a partnership between University College London, Imperial College London, and King’s College London, working in collaboration with the UK Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, and Cancer Research UK.
Clark College opened its $40 million STEM building in October of 2016 in Vancouver, Wash. Designed by LSW Architects to support programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the three-story, 70,000-sf project provides classrooms, teaching labs, and offices for the departments of biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and engineering.
Whittier College opened the Science and Learning Center in September of 2016 in Whittier, Calif. Designed by Steinberg Architects with Research Facilities Design (RFD) as laboratory design consultant, the $52 million project included a complete renovation of the 89,000-sf Stauffer Science Building to create a collaborative, interdisciplinary facility for STEM programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The College of William & Mary opened the third phase of the Integrated Science Center (ISC3) in September of 2016 in Williamsburg, Va. Accommodating programs in applied science, biology, chemistry, psychology, neuroscience, and computer modeling, the $74 million interdisciplinary facility features 13 chemistry research labs, four teaching labs, instrumentation suites, a computational lab, a biological sciences makerspace, a spectroscopy lab, and a complete machine shop.
Today’s scientific researchers are improving their productivity, research outcomes, and technological advances by using the knowledge of many disciplines. This emerging field of “convergence science” goes beyond traditional collaboration to the much larger intellectual intersection of engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, and other disciplines, plus big data. In this model, research includes funding from private sources or foundations that demand marketable results quickly.
The Department of Defense’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency has completed construction of the Forensic Identification Laboratory in Oahu, Hawaii. Designed by SmithGroupJJR, the three-story, 136,497-sf project will aid in the investigation, recovery, and accounting of Americans lost during the nation’s past conflicts.
Nova Southeastern University opened the $100 million Center for Collaborative Research in September of 2016 in Davie, Fla. Designed by ACAI Associates, the six-story, 215,000-sf facility features wet and dry laboratories, a high-performance computing environment, the AutoNation Institute for Breast and Solid Tumor Cancer Research, the NSU Cell Therapy Institute, and the Institute for Natural and Ocean Sciences Research.
The University of Texas at El Paso is planning to break ground in early 2017 on the $85 million Interdisciplinary Research Building. Designed by Perkins+Will, the 150,000-gsf project will feature collaborative research labs, a vivarium, imaging suites, core labs, a visualization suite, conference rooms, an atrium, an auditorium, and academic and administrative offices.
GE Healthcare is planning to create a $167 million biopharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Ringaskiddy, Ireland. Featuring GE's prefabricated KUBio™ facilities, GE BioPark Cork will include four KUBio factories owned by independent biopharma companies. GE will manage the campus as well as providing centralized shared utilities and site services. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2017.
The University of Michigan is planning to build the $75 million Ford Motor Company Robotics Building on the North Campus in Ann Arbor. Part of the College of Engineering, the four-story, 140,000-sf facility will feature collaborative research and development labs, classrooms, offices, high-bay space, and a fly zone for autonomous aerial vehicles. Ford Motor Company will occupy a laboratory on the top floor of the building and is providing $15 million in funding for the project. Completion is expected in late 2019.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center is building the $265 million HOPE Tower in Neptune, N.J. Designed by WHR Architects, the 10-story, 299,000-sf cancer research and treatment facility will feature a 58,000-sf patient care center offering radiation therapy, medical oncology, surgical specialties, and minimally invasive therapies. The tower will also include space for academic programs, simulation training suites, biomedical laboratories, and a nine-story parking garage.
Memorial University is planning to build the CAD$30 million Animal Resource Centre in St. Johns. Replacing two existing buildings, the 30,000-sf facility will support medical research in a variety of areas, including cancer, diabetes, mental health, obesity, stroke mechanisms, and osteoporosis. The project will include vivarium space for animal housing and is supported by CAD$14.4 million in federal funding.
