Animal facility planning processes for long-term resilience, adaptability, and growth

This presentation sets out the latest criteria and processes for planning animal research facilities to stand the test of time in terms of adaptability, relevance, and operating efficiency. Claire Lindsell and Jefferson Chau illustrate the novel solutions derived from early collaboration with architects, facility planners, academic leadership, researchers, veterinarians, and vivarium managers. They chart the assessment of campus-wide needs and design optimization for future animal research space, and key considerations including species flexibility, right-sizing, cage wash infrastructure, operational considerations, sanitation, and storage. They profile the results reflected in University of California Irvine’s new vivarium, the prioritization of project features and spending, and the capabilities achieved to respond to shifts in research directions, technology, accreditation, and funding.