Industry News

Montana State University is planning to construct three new facilities to house the Northern Agricultural Research Center in Havre, Mont. The $1.8 million project will begin construction in summer of 2009 with the first facility slated for completion in early 2010. The completed Northern Agricultural Research Center will house offices, laboratories, meeting rooms, a livestock research facility, a calving barn, and a chemical handling facility.

Monash University opened its $153 million regenerative medicine research facility in Clayton, Australia, in April of 2009. Construction began on the 17,200-sm project in January of 2007. The sustainably-designed facility is comprised of two four-story buildings connected by a core structure and is part of a growing biomedical research campus.

Smart Cells International opened its cord blood stem cell facility in London in March of 2009. The advanced processing and storage laboratory will house stem cells from donors and families in a GMP-certified facility with advanced monitoring systems for air pressure, air particle count, and liquid nitrogen level in the tanks. The building also features backup power generation and a sophisticated air handling system.

Yale University completed the $33.5 million Kroon Hall in New Haven, Conn., in April of 2009. Designed to use 50 percent less energy than a comparable building, the facility will house the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. The 56,467-sf building was designed by Hopkins Architects in partnership with Centerbrook Architects and Planners. LEED Platinum sustainable design certification will be sought for the project.

Mesa Community College is constructing the $13.5 million Saguaro Building on its Red Mountain campus in northeast Mesa, Ariz. Slated for completion in fall of 2009, the 42,000-sf facility will feature vivarium and terrarium space for indigenous animal and plant species. The Saguaro Building will house life science laboratories, ten classrooms, study areas, a theater, a bat nesting area, and a snake pit. LEED certification for sustainable design will be sought for the project. The facility was designed by SmithGroup.