Research and Development

Emory University's $82.7-million Whitehead Biomedical Research Building has earned a Silver certification according to the LEED building rating system as established by the U.S. Green Building Council. Designed by the Atlanta office of Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK), the 325,000-sf, eight-story building opened in November 2001 and is the first building in the Southeast U.S. to achieve LEED certification, and one of only 24 LEED-certified facilities in the nation.

Purdue   Universityis developing the Bowen Civil High Performance Structures Lab, a large-scale laboratory for the Civil Engineering department.

PurdueUniversity is expanding the School of Chemical Engineering with a 96,000-sf addition. Part of the Purdue University Schools of Engineering Strategic Facilities Plan, the expansion includes an interactive multimedia learning center, a teaching lab for chemical engineering fundamentals, and an integrated lab complex for chemical and polymer engineering. The project will also house biomedical, catalysis and surface science research clusters. The addition is designed as flexible laboratory space to foster teamwork, interactive discussion and innovative research.

Nanomix, a nanotechnology company engaged in developing components for electronics, sensor applications and energy storage, has signed a 10-year lease for 13,000-sf in Emeryville. The facility, located in Wareham Development's 30,000-sf EmeryStation North, will be the first tenancy in the building's second stage of lab build-outs. Approximately half of the space will be used as laboratory, with the remaining as office space.

The University of California at San Francisco will complete the $22-million Genentech Hall next month. The hall is the first facility of the planned 20-building, 43-acre Mission Bay campus encompassing  2,650,000 sf of instructional, support, and biomedical lab facilities. Part of Catellus Development Corp.'s massive 303-acre project, the facility is ready for support staff occupancy as early as October and will see equipment moved in through the end of the year.

The University of Texas at San Antonio has leased 8,000 sf in Brooks Building 175 at Brooks Air Force Base to house a vaccine research training facility. Preparing molecular biologists, fermentation technicians, and genetic engineers to conduct vaccine-related research, the facility is slated to open by fall of 2003. The training center will accommodate both UTSA and military graduate and undergraduate students. City officials hope that the training facility will cause San Antonio to be chosen as the site of a proposed $1.5-billion national vaccine center.

Raleigh, N.C.-based Cedra Clinical Research, a firm engaged in asthma and allergy studies, will soon open its new 25,000-sf facility in Far North Austin's Reunion Park. Cedra is relocating from its current Northeast Austin location.

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 University of Missouri Columbia is building a new 124,000-nsf Life Sciences Center (LSC). Construction began in December of 2001 on the $60-million project which will include a DNA research facility, five teaching/computer labs, a 250-seat auditorium, 50 research labs, technologically advanced classrooms, a greenhouse, and multipurpose equipment rooms. The facility will provide flexible space to maximize interactions and foster interdisciplinary team research.

Northwestern University is developing Phase One of the Gladys & Arthur Pancoe Life Sciences Pavilion, a new 88,000-sf research facility housing the Center for Experimental Animal Research on the university's Evanston campus. The project will accommodate research for the University and Northwestern Healthcare’s Evanston Hospital. Designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership of Los Angeles, the four-story building with basement will house flexible research labs, faculty offices, vivarium, auditorium, and a café.

Degussa Corp. recently broke ground on the 18,000-sf future headquarters of the company's fruit systems unit in Philadelphia. The division, which designs new products based on the interaction of fruit, flavors, and other ingredients, began relocation to its new home in summer of 2002 from Langhorne, Bucks County. Degussa currently operates a 150,000-sf production plant at the same location and aims to increase collaboration between its manufacturing, R&D and technology departments with the relocation.

Advancing California's Emerging Technologies (ACET), an Alameda incubator, will invest $6.44 million received from the Commerce Department in a new 35,000- to 40,000-sf office, lab, and R&D building. The facility will be able to accommodate up to 40 biotechnology, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and environmental technology companies.

Construction of Northwestern University’s $32,250,000 Center for Nanofabrication and Self Assembly is nearing completion. Designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership of Los Angeles, the 43,800-sf Evanston campus facility will house research laboratories for the Chemistry department, analytical and laser laboratories, and office space. Contractor Turner Construction Company is joined on the project team by structural engineer Chris P. Stefanos Associates of Oak Lawn, Ill., mechanical engineer Bard, Rao + Athanas of Chicago, and civil engineer Terra Engineering of Chicago.

The proposed Assembly Square redevelopment project in Somerville will include approximately 2 million sf of R&D and office space, 1.8 million sf of residential space, 605,000 sf of retail, and 30 acres of open space. Sited on 126 acres, the project is being developed by Sturtevant Partnership, a collaboration of Boston-based Taurus New England Investments Corp. and Gravestar Inc. of Cambridge.

 Northwestern University began construction on the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center on its Chicago campus in March, 2002. Designed by lead architect Davis Brody Bond, LLP of New York and engineer BR+A of Boston, the 12-story building will house 9 laboratory floors with offices, a campus center on the ground floor, and two floors below grade for vivarium and mechanical rooms. Mechanical operations will also be housed on the second floor and the penthouse.