Applied Biosystems Group of Foster City, Calif., began construction in January on its R&D, office, and manufacturing project sited on 80 acres in Pleasanton. Totalling just under 1,000,000-sf, the planned seven-building complex will be developed on an as-needed basis. Applied Biosystems will invest $80-million this fiscal year in the first two buildings. The first, a two-story, 90,000-sf facility slated for completion in the spring, will be followed by a three-story, 140,000-sf building to reach completion in fall 2003. Between 300 and 500 workers will initially be employed at the campus, which will eventually accommodate 2,600. With a recycling goal of 90 to 95%, much of the five buildings and 30,000 cubic yards of concrete demolished by contractor Devcon Construction of Milpitas, Calif., will be reused. One of the many energy-conserving features of the campus is a ventilation system that draws air from the sides of the building where the air is 15 degrees cooler than the building's rooftop. Window shades are used that allow reflection of exterior light to the building's interior. All wood veneers used in the project are sourced from sustainable forests including eucalyptus and bamboo. When the campus opens next year, employees will engage in assay research and manufacturing operations in the first buildings.
