SALEM, N.H.--A ribbon cutting ceremony was held recently at Amberwave Systems in Salem to mark the completion of its new fabrication facility. Lloyd Architects of Plymouth, Mass. provided architectural design for the project and Am Tech Engineers of Stoughton, Mass. designed the mechanical system for the 6,000 sf of cleanroom as well as the entire structure. Hodess Building Company (HBC) provided the general construction services for both the clean manufacturing space and 25,000 sf of base building and office space. Ken Petrocelli, director of operations for Amberwave, comments, "Amberwave's new facility will be the center of our research and development efforts for the next ten years."

The scope included the creation of a depressed slab with a raised access floor at the cleanrooms. The mechanical and process systems are comprised of clean dry air, process vacuum, process cooling water, waste neutralization, deionized water, and high purity process piping for nitrogen and specialty gases. Power will be provided using a new incoming main power plant installed by HBC. The new distribution provides plenty of power to support all the central utilities including a chilled water system, steam boiler, hot water system, new air handling systems, and make-up air systems.

Chemical storage bunkers, which required explosion-rated construction, were installed at the exterior of the building. A new air-cooled chiller, and a new nitrogen, hydrogen, and specialty gases systems were also built into the new facility.

Hodess Building Company is an innovative design/build, general contracting, construction management firm headquartered in North Attleboro, Mass. HBC currently has projects underway throughout the United States. Hodess Building Co. has a solid reputation for excellence in the engineering and construction industry by delivering projects faster, more cost effectively and with higher quality. HBC works in both the private and public sector, in the markets of healthcare, retirement communities, educational/institutional, microelectronics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, lab/R&D, fine/bulk chemicals, light manufacturing, corporate office centers and tenant fit-up.