At full capacity the Danforth Center will ultimately house 17 principal investigators and more than 200 scientists, making it one of the world's largest and most advanced research facilities dedicated to basic plant science research. The facility includes 19 laboratory modules, 32 individual environmentally controlled plant growth chambers, 19 custom designed growth rooms, and a 12,000-sf greenhouse complex. Scientists will conduct research in the areas of genetics, chemistry, cell biology, biochemistry, root biology, computational genomics, and structural biology. The Center features the largest computer system currently in use for plant science research.

The design objective of the Danforth Center was to establish a working environment that allows scientists to explore and exchange ideas. The building's openness, connected by stairwells and balconies, and abundant gathering spaces where scientists can meet and/or run into each other while working, fosters interaction and encourages collaboration. The creation of an open and accessible environment also provides a forum where the public is introduced to the research work through lectures and presentations.

The three-story main building features two, 11,000-sf lab wings on each floor separated by a 9,500-sf atrium that connects to the main lobby on the ground floor. The labs connect across the atrium via two bridges. A library is located on the second floor, the faculty lounge is on the third level, and administrative and support offices are located on all three levels. The lower level features conference and multipurpose rooms, a 300-seat auditorium, cafeteria and food service area, and the head house.

The head house, located beneath the main laboratory building, features the roots for all research and includes soil mix, transformation, NMR spaces, and reach-in and walk-in plant growth chambers with dimmable lighting throughout the light spectrum and an advanced control and monitoring system. The head house connects to the greenhouses by way of a glass walkway.

The wet labs are a series of connected open plans based on an 11' by 30' planning module. There are 21 labs per floor for a total of 63 labs throughout the building. There are 12 modules in the east wing and nine in the west lab wing. There are central safety closets, darkrooms, and glass washing/sterilization spaces on each floor. The main lab spaces are basic plant biology labs and feature modular casework systems. The adjoining lab support spaces are "flex" labs, customized for each researcher. The main lab remains generic and the smaller support spaces are specific to the researchers' needs, enabling the facility to be changed quickly and efficiently as research needs emerge.

Piped services are supplied vertically in pipe chases at the island benches. Piped service fittings and electrical outlets at the island benches are mounted in the vertical support members instead of the countertop, leaving the countertop free of obstruction. Direct and indirect pendant light fixtures used in the labs reduce glare and shadowing. Perimeter lab offices open directly into the labs so researchers and technicians are never far from their labs.

A complex ventilation system was installed that utilizes 100 percent fresh air to prevent cross-contamination of research studies. Typically, only 20 to 30 percent of the air brought into a building is fresh air. The system provides eight air changes in an hour, in which the entire building is completely emptied and filled once again with new fresh air. The Danforth Center's electrical system includes a backup diesel generator with a 5,000-gallon fuel tank that can be refueled while it is running, providing a continuous source of power and insurance against power outages.

The not-for-profit Danforth Center is a partnership among several public and private institutions including the Missouri Botanical Garden, Monsanto Company, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Missouri-Columbia, Purdue University, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Information for this profile was provided by Hellmuth, Obata + Kasabaum Inc. and McCarthy Building Companies Inc.

Project Information
Building Owner:		Danforth Plant Science Center
Owner Contact:		Howard Beittenmiller, Manager of Facilities and Support Services
Building Location:		St. Louis, Missouri UNITED STATES
Project Type:		New Construction
Principal Building Function:		Plant Research
Project Delivery Method:		Construction Management
Project Timeline		May 1998 Planning Start Aug 1999 Design Start Oct 1999 Construction Start Oct 2001 Completion Last known status: Completed
Project Cost:		$75,000,000
Construction Cost:		$55,000,000
Cost Per Sq. Ft:		$367
		About These Cost Figures
Building Information
Project Includes:		Auditorium Biochemistry Chemistry Greenhouse Laboratory: Chemistry Laboratory: Dry And Wet Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Plant Growth Chambers
Total GSF:		150,000
Total NSF:		136,363
Efficiency:		91%
Building Population:		300
People Density:		500 gsf/person
Building Services:		RO/DI; gas; compressed air; vacuum
Special Equip:		Environmental growth chambers; bio cold rooms
Power Req:		16.9 watts/nsf
HVAC Req:		1.3 cfm/nsf
Structure/Foundation:		Concrete and structural steel building with drilled piers and spread footings
Laboratory Parameters
Lab Module:		11' x 30'
Casework Mat'l:		Maple wood finish casework; Chemical resistant countertops
Fume Hoods:		32
Project Team
Architect of Record		Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum Inc. (HOK)
Builder		McCarthy Building Companies Inc.
Engineer - Geotechnical		PSI Engineers
Interior Design		Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum Inc. (HOK)
Landscape Architect		Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum Inc. (HOK)
Supplier - Fume Hood Controls		Phoenix Controls Corporation
Supplier - Furniture		Herman Miller Services
Profile Created 03/28/2002
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.