Photo courtesy of Burt Hill

The research facility laboratory uses three laboratory space types: flexible open labs, dedicated support labs, and core laboratory facilities. The core research facilities within the Center include laboratories for molecular biology, analytical biochemistry, microbiology, imaging, histology, tissue and cell culture, proteomics, and scientific computing and visualization. The Center contains an 800 mHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometer, and the computing and visualization infrastructure needed to model molecular structures at the atomic level.

To enhance the collaborative exploration of life science and engineering, RPI created four research focal groups around which the building is organized. These groupings, also known as constellations, are biocomputation and bioinformatics, integrated systems biology, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and biocatalysis and metabolic engineering. The location of research space for these constellations varies based on the research being conducted or its association with a specialized research core.

The casework systems used in the Center are separated into three categories. Fixed casework is primarily located in the exterior perimeter of the flexible laboratory spaces, lab support spaces, and at sink peninsula locations. Adaptable height bench assembly casework is located in the flexible laboratory spaces adjacent to the sink peninsulas, which provides a service chase for quick disconnect connections to the adaptable benches. The third casework system is a rolling adaptable bench assembly whose services are provided by a custom fabricated overhead service carrier with quick disconnects outlets. The movable benches are located under these service carriers. This system provides the maximum flexibility for the users due to its easy adaptability into multiple configurations.

A linear four-story atrium—the main circulation area of the building—allows each office, meeting, and laboratory space to have controlled daylighting and views. Abundant fresh air, low-polluting materials, advanced laboratory controls, and heat recovery create a healthy, energy-efficient indoor environment. Several impromptu breakout spaces are located around the atrium and contain comfortable chairs, side tables, power access, and white boards. Two small enclosed breakout spaces are located in the laboratory wing and facilitate small group collaboration with tables and chairs, pin-up space, white boards, and Internet access. Three formal meeting spaces, known as Oxbridge rooms, contain fully automated AV capabilities and conference tables and chairs.

The Center also has two large gathering spaces: a 150-seat auditorium and the Bruggeman Conference Center. The auditorium and conference center contain full-function audio/video capabilities including rear-screen projection, a programmable audio sound system, and cameras for distance learning and video conferencing. Equipment in the auditorium can be controlled remotely via a color touch-screen wireless system. A control booth services the equipment needs of the conference center. The 60-seat conference center is designed to be a multiuse, flexible meeting space with pre-function/overflow space and a main conference center.

The Center has been a source of knowledge and education long before the first researcher moved in. Each semester during the 30-month construction process, 12 students--six architects and six civil engineers--enrolled in a course to learn the entire process of building a research facility. After an initial construction safety class taught by the builder, the lead architect based each semester's curriculum on what was happening at the time, such as concrete pouring and steel framing or installation of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Project Information
Building Owner:		Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Owner Contact:		Amr Abdel-Azim
Building Location:		Troy, N.Y. UNITED STATES
Project Type:		New Construction
Principal Building Function:		Biotechnology research and teaching
Project Delivery Method:		Fast Track
Project Timeline		Apr 2001 Planning Start Jun 2001 Design Start May 2002 Construction Start Nov 2004 Completion Last known status: Completed
Project Cost:		$69,500,000
Construction Cost:		$64,650,000
Cost Per Sq. Ft:		$295
		About These Cost Figures
Building Information
Project Includes:		Atrium Auditorium Biochemistry Biology Biotechnology Education Education: Biology Education: Faculty Office Education: Lecture Or Seminar Hall Engineering Genomics Healthcare: Imaging Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory Laboratory: Biomedical Research Laboratory: Biotech Laboratory: Research Laboratory: Teaching Materials Science Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Office: Administrative Office: Researcher Research Research: Biotech
Total GSF:		219,000
Total NSF:		126,754
Efficiency:		58%
Building Population:		416
People Density:		548 gsf/person
Building Services:		Hot water, cold water, RO water, nitrogen, natural gas laboratory air, and a localized laboratory vacuum system used to serve the second floor.
Special Equip:		800 MHz NMR magnet
Office Size:		160 NSF
Structure/Foundation:		Structural steel
Laboratory Parameters
Lab Module:		10' 8" x 30'
Casework Mat'l:		Fixed casework with maple veneer base cabinets and epoxy resin countertops. Adjustable and rolling benches with countertops of epoxy resin.
Fume Hoods:		2 -- 4'; 33 -- 6'; and 7 -- 8' Chemical Fume Hoods 2 -- 4' Radio Isotope Fume Hoods
Project Team
Architect		Burt Hill
Architect		Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Builder		McCarthy Building Companies Inc.
Construction Management		McCarthy Building Companies Inc.
Consultant - Audio Visual		Shen, Milson & Wilke Associates
Consultant - Site		J. Kenneth Fraser and Associates
Engineer - MEP		Burt Hill
Engineer - Civil		Clough, Harbour & Associates LLP
Engineer - Structural		Ryan-Biggs Associates
Laboratory Planner		Research Facilities Design (RFD)
Supplier - Cabinetry		Campbell Rhea, Mohon International Inc.
Supplier - Carpet		C&A
Supplier - Casework		Northeast Interiors Systems
Supplier - Clean Benches		Case Systems Inc.
Supplier - Fume Hoods		BMC
Supplier - Fume Hoods		Jamestown Metal Products
Supplier - Laboratory Fixtures		Laboratory Tops Inc.
Supplier - Overhead Service Carrier		Case Systems Inc.
Profile Created 09/07/2005
Last Updated 04/04/2006
About the Reported Cost Figures The cost figures reported are supplied by the firms that submitted these projects for publication, which in most cases are the designers or builders. Whereas these sources are intimately familiar with their projects, they may not be fully aware of the owners' finally-realized and recorded costs. In some cases, costs are truly and completely accounted for, and in others they represent a near approximation of the final costs. Costs have not been adjusted for year of construction, nor has any attempt been made to make regional cost adjustments. Further, costs are not comparable on any kind of detailed standard costing model. Hence, it is possible for the cost of one building to include a steam boiler, while the cost of a comparable building might not include the boiler, if steam is being supplied from an already existing campus grid. Or, in another case, a building might include excess boiler capacity to supply steam to another building. Some submittals include fees or unusual site improvements as part of the construction costs, which others do not.

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