"Since our most valuable resource is people, it makes sense to provide our scientists with the right building solutions and environment," says Kevin Carmody, manager of facilities engineering at AstraZeneca R&D Boston. "Interaction and proper communication are fundamental to our success."

The Anglo-Swedish AstraZeneca, one of the world's top five pharmaceutical companies, decided in the early 1990s to establish a satellite research site in the United States. The Boston area was selected as the location for the company's ninth research campus primarily because of its proximity to major teaching hospitals, academic institutions, and biotechnology industries. The 64-acre site in Waltham is now home to Cancer and Infection Discovery research, as well as the company's North American Enabling Science and Technology group.

Prior to selecting a location, the company embarked on a one-year effort to develop a detailed description of the site requirements and necessary building design principles. The building, which reflects many features of AstraZeneca's labs in Sweden and England, is designed to promote an innovative physical environment that encourages interaction and connectivity between all scientific disciplines working on site. This fundamental goal is achieved with an open floor plan, natural light, reduced noise levels, standardization of lab design, and flexibility that extends to the casework, furniture, and utilities.

The aesthetic quality and simplicity of the floor plan created by the architectural firm Wingardhs of Goteborg, Sweden, earned AstraZeneca a '2001 Lab of the Year" award from R&D Magazine. The 170,000-gsf research building is recognized for its effective use of space and energy, labs that can be changed as corporate goals evolve, and the fluent movement of people and materials throughout the complex.

Welcome to Gatehouse Park

AstraZeneca R&D Boston, also known as Gatehouse Park, currently consists of the main research building and a 20,000-gsf remote utility plant. Initial construction began in August 1998 and was completed in May 2000. The company has already invested $103 million to purchase the land and construct the original buildings. A 450-stall parking garage has been recently added to the site.

The research complex features three houses, A, B, and C, which are topped with enclosed mechanical penthouses. The three houses are oriented towards and connected together by a five-story atrium. Two additional houses, M and N, are under construction with a combined layout of 80,000 gsf and a targeted completion date of July 2003. M and N houses will also directly connect to the atrium. This arrangement provides a critical mass of activities in a compact footprint.

To maximize the sloping terrain, employees enter at the lowest level, 00 level (cellar), which connects support activities and will also be extended throughout the site. The next level up, 0 level (basement), contains the main communication spine for the complex. This communication spine will extend throughout the site and connect to similar building arrangements.

"The atrium is the unifying block that connects all houses and features informal seating, small conference rooms, coffee stations, and a grand staircase that connects the upper four levels," notes Carmody. "All houses constructed in the future will also be connected on all levels to provide efficient flow of people and materials. This modular approach with smaller buildings and open, flexible labs connected together in a dense contiguous arrangement gives us more control over the logistics of expansion."

Planning is under way for additional expansion to support the goals of the company. The preliminary program includes a mix of laboratory space, common use functions, and expanded office area for support groups.

"The design allows us to construct as many buildings as we need to accommodate our growth," says Carmody. "Our current master site plan shows that we can support a total buildup of 750,000 gross square feet. We currently have 325 employees, but that number could increase to approximately 450 when houses M and N are fully occupied."

All of the houses are highlighted by labs, but Building A also includes the cafeteria, shipping/receiving, and warehouse areas. Building B houses the lobby area, major plumbing and mechanical support systems, and R&D operations. Building C features mostly labs and utility support areas. Chemistry labs are typically located on the top floor of all three houses. Carmody explains that Buildings M and N are necessary to expand areas for the library, auditorium, labs, and conference rooms.

Special Design Components

The design team's special attention to elements that create a positive, safe work environment are evident throughout the complex. Natural light is allowed to penetrate the most interior spaces through 9-foot high, expansive exterior windows and full-height interior glass partitions. Fume hoods and ventilated enclosures are outfitted with side vision panels to enhance the transmission of light.

Open lab design, natural finishes, an abundance of natural light, enhanced safety measures with excellent ventilation systems, and flexibility are cited by Carmody as environmental benefits that help recruit and retain employees.

"Surroundings don't make science, but they can make doing research much more comfortable and R&D Boston is a superb place to do science and discover drugs," says Trevor J. Trust, vice president for Infection Discovery.

Noise abatement is also essential to providing a productive work environment. Designers accomplished this goal with an HVAC approach of enclosing the mechanical systems in the upper penthouse area, equipping air handlers and air valves with silencers, using low duct velocities and passive cooling beams, and controlling supply and exhaust air with a proper VAV and building automation system.

Laboratory Technical Elements

The laboratories are easily adaptable to accommodate advances in equipment design and research techniques in a cost-effective manner. Ergonomic and flexible casework and hood systems, as well as chemical and waste dumbwaiters, are incorporated to enhance safety. The casework systems feature ventilated cabinets and enclosures for chemical storage, ventilated downdraft plates and balance tables, utility towers, bench frames for heavy equipment, and gas towers with quick disconnect valves. The spine of the system is used to support benches, upper cabinets, and utilities.

The flooring material for the labs was installed wall-to-wall before any casework was added. This allows AstraZeneca to remove benches and spines with minimal impact to the labs and the company budget. Most of the everyday changes to the casework can be completed with simple tools and moderate skills.

The biology and chemistry lab modules feature single and double-occupancy offices, work stations, and support space. The biology module accommodates six people per bay and has a 1:2 ratio of lab space to support space. The chemistry module has four people per bay at a 1:1 ratio of lab space to support space. Both modules contain 18-foot benches and 10 x 11-foot offices. The cubicle areas can be adjusted to add more work stations.

Looking Ahead

Carmody explains that one of the biggest challenges to meeting the original design criteria is working with the 13-foot floor-to-floor height.

"The 13-foot floor plate coupled with a minimum ceiling height of nine feet plus a minimum height for mechanicals creates a challenge in routing duct from mechanical chases located at each end of the building to the center of the floor plate," says Carmody. "In hindsight, 13 feet, 6 inches would have proven beneficial. We will remain with 13 feet, but will use a different slab approach to increase clearance height."

Other changes being made to enhance the design and comfort level include adding blinds to facilitate more privacy in the conference rooms and making slight modifications to the casework system. Support benches will be furnished with bench frames in lieu of cantilevered countertops, providing more flexibility in heavy equipment areas.

"The feedback has been very good. Employees mention the open feeling of the labs, the natural light, views, and flexibility of casework as positive attributes," says Carmody. "Our human resources colleagues tell us that employees often mention the building and site during the hiring process as one of the reasons why they accepted the position."

By Tracy Carbasho