Priorities for new animal facilities: flexibility, operations, sustainability, commissioning

Utah State University’s new 110,000-sf Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) building (currently under construction) will bring new animal research program capabilities to Utah and should achieve a LEED Gold level of sustainability without breaking the bank. Aaron Olsen reveals the implications for the vivarium and biocontainment areas of the building: sustainability features targeting water use and power consumption, efficient decontamination solutions, species flexibility from mice up to mini-swine, and ABSL-3 Select Agent facility features supporting ferrets for avian influenza research. He examines the space allocation rationales, the commissioning strategy, and early construction lessons learned that others should watch out for.

Leader:

• Aaron Olsen, DVM, PhD -- Director, Lab Animal Research Center, Utah State University