The buildings are part of a research initiative aimed at creating a world-class Arizona Biodesign Institute which will complement other existing and future science centers, such as the Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Buildings located on campus, and research facilities in downtown Phoenix. The initiative took flight in 2002 with the selection of Gould Evans Associates in Phoenix and Lord, Aeck & Sargent in Atlanta as the architects, and the receipt of a $2-million federal grant administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Construction of Building A, the first of four facilities to be completed as part of the new Institute, began in February 2003 and was completed in November 2004. The researchers and their programs will be linked to the new Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and the new medical school campus in downtown Phoenix.

ASU's master plan also calls for a second research building to be completed in August 2005 with a targeted date of 2007 to finish construction of the remaining two facilities. All of the buildings are being planned with the same guiding principles and will reflect the University's motto of "connecting today's insights to tomorrow's innovations."

The overall project cost for Building A, which consists of four floors and 172,000 square feet, was $73 million with construction costing approximately $52 million. The facility is occupied by approximately 120 undergraduate and graduate students, 80 post-doctorates, 60 research faculty members, and 40 administrative personnel. Space is available for bioinformatics, biologics, shared research, support functions, and the Veterans Administration lab. The building also houses a variety of devices, including biosensors that can record important biomarkers such as blood glucose, microfluidic equipment that can display small-volume chemical reactions on a chip, and DNA microarrays to analyze gene expression.

Guiding Principles

"An organizing principle was to create a rich research environment for interdisciplinary collaboration," says Scott Cole, deputy executive vice president for University Services. "We wanted to create a world-class facility with the adaptability and flexibility for use and change over time by using flexible furniture and ubiquitous utilities."

In order to accomplish the targeted completion date for the overall Biodesign Institute, University planning officials are using a fast-track, multiple-package approach. Building A went from the planning stage to completion in 23 months and an 18-month schedule is under way for Building B.

Incorporating sustainable design features into all four buildings planned for the biodesign complex is also a principle guiding the design and construction process. Obtaining LEED™ certification is achieved by using automated mechanically operated louver sun shading and screens, high-sloped ceilings for directing daylight into the interior of the building, automatic sensors for lighting controls, waterless urinals and low-flow fixtures, recycled content, local materials, a recycling program, and the proper monitoring and reporting of electrical and mechanical systems.

Building Features

"The four-story atrium and natural daylighting of interior spaces is the most significant architectural feature of the building," says Cole. "All of the future buildings will be linked visually and physically along this central organizational circulation spine."

The atrium plays a significant role in fostering collaboration by allowing researchers to see the work taking place in the open labs that are situated on four floors.

Adaptability and flexibility are achieved with movable casework, modular open office layouts, open labs featuring flexible lab planning modules that measure 11' by 33', an overhead rack system for cable management, and a large floor plate area to maximize interaction. Strategic location of the vertical shafts providing access to utilities and mechanical systems easily accommodates changes in lab configurations.

Five vertical shafts run from the basement to the mechanical penthouse. They are aligned from north to south in the building with 11-foot separations between them to accommodate the equipment corridors that run east to west. The shafts support the open wet lab bench areas to the east and the support labs to the west.

"The disciplines in this building are extremely varied, ranging from biology and nanotechnology to computational chemistry, and animal research," says Cole. "Lab facilities house sophisticated high-tech research for bioengineering, biotechnology, and integrative medicine. Since much of the research will be conducted at the nanoscale level, a contingent of highly sophisticated and sensitive equipment must be accommodated."

Examples of the sensitive equipment include scanning probe microscopes, high-powered electron microscopes, and optical labs where the extensive use of lasers takes place. The operation of this equipment can be disrupted by external factors, such as vibrations, air current, temperature, humidity, pressure fluctuations, and electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Research scientists request that EMI be kept at very low levels of 0.1 to 0.2 milligauss. In order to achieve these levels, an active magnetic cancellation field must be installed. However, effective building techniques can provide good EMI-controlled space. Extensive measures were taken in the construction of Building A to mitigate the impact of external interference, including working with the State of Arizona to reroute a light rail system away from the building. The design and location of the electrical systems and tight control of the tolerances allowed within the mechanical systems help control external interference.

The building layout is designed to keep the electrical room and large feeders at least 40 feet from the research space. Circuits near the space feature twisted conductors, and fluorescent fixtures within the area have electronic ballasts. Emphasis has been placed on a standard grounding system for the building.

Every receptacle is tested to ensure that no circuiting errors have occurred, especially with regard to neutral and ground connections. A magnetic field survey is conducted in the nanosciences area to determine if an active field cancellation system is necessary.

Routing ductwork and piping are minimized in the bays used for nanosciences. The presence of ferrous metals inside the space is not a problem, although movement of the metal is. Therefore, elevators and movement of vehicles are kept to a minimum of 70 feet from this research space.

A study was conducted in the early stages of planning to assess sources of site vibration. Stringent vibration criteria are achieved in the basement and first-floor levels for sensitive equipment with a targeted vibration limit of 100 microinches.

Stringent security measures are in place in Building A to control access in accordance with the terms of the Patriot Act and the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002. Individuals entering the building are recognized through their thumbprint or cornea.

Building A is also capable of accommodating BSL-3 research and handling hazardous materials, if necessary, in the future. A loading dock with underground access is available to service the building.

Economic Issues

Initial planning and site design work were accomplished using the $2-million grant provided from the Economic Development Initiative (EDI) account for special projects pursuant to the VA-HUD-Independent Agencies Appropriations Act administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The EDI account is earmarked for projects aimed at advancing the development of bioscience research and biotechnology in Arizona.

"A significant portion of the support for these research buildings comes through the recovery of indirect costs charged to all University research grants and contracts," says Cole. "Additional funding comes through external sources such as Arizona's Technology and Research Initiative Fund (Proposition 301), which provides certain tax revenue incentives to jump start science and technology projects on university campuses."

University funding system revenue bonds were used toward construction costs. The money to pay off the debt and operate the building will come from the indirect cost recovery, as well as revenue from the ASU Research Park. The state has not provided funds to the University since 1982.

The annual operating and maintenance budget necessary for Building A is expected to be more than $1.6 million, while the yearly O&M costs for Building B could climb to more than $2 million. The expenses include utilities, equipment maintenance and repair, custodial service, building service personnel costs, and facilities management administration costs.

Scientists will indirectly support the operations and maintenance of the facilities based on their performance and the funds they generate through their research.

"The Office of Research controls who goes into Building A. The scientists have to generate $265 per square foot in research or they don't get in," says Cole. "They are paying rent. We are now targeting and hiring researchers from around the country to work in our facility."

Future Plans and Challenges

Construction of the 177,000-sf Building B began in March 2004 and is slated for completion in August with occupancy scheduled for January 2006. The facility will house about 300 people working on four levels. The administrative office for the entire Biodesign Institute will be housed in this building, along with research labs, office space, and a vivarium.

Site plans call for the completion of the 220,000-sf Building C in 2006, followed by the completion of the 180,000-sf Building D a year later. The master plan also includes the construction of a large auditorium during this time.

Having contingency plans available to address any changes in design, construction, and programming as the project progresses is important to the successful completion and ongoing operation of each building.

"Changes and program items are the biggest challenge to maintaining the cost, schedule, and expectations of others. Programming is a delicate balance between all of the researchers," notes Cole. "Research programming always changes during the life of a project. Accommodating these changes and holding down costs is critical."

The Biodesign Institute was recently named 2006 Laboratory of the Year.

By Tracy Carbasho

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