A global chemicals company was operating five separate development laboratories in aging facilities around the country and saw a potential savings and collaboration benefit in collocation. Along with a specialist laboratory construction group, our team collected information at each of the sites. Energy worked with the client scientist teams to develop a space program for each laboratory function. Extensive code studies and evaluations of processes ultimately allowed us to understand all of the physical separation requirements and environmental needs. Working with Baker Risk, Energy also developed a series of blast-resistant spaces in the scale-up manufacturing and bulk chemical storage areas.

The building efficiently organizes open, daylit laboratories and offices for over 300 technicians and scientists around a central landscaped courtyard, parking area, and central service infrastructure. Not only have these spaces minimized the significant infrastructure of laboratory and MEP services, they’ve made the laboratories ultimately flexible as processes change. The building: