Industry News

The Pirbright Institute opened the $215 million National Virology Centre in October of 2014 in the United Kingdom. Funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the CL-4 biocontainment facility will accommodate research on infectious diseases including avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, and swine fever. Built by Shepherd Construction, the 119,100-sf project will support vaccine development and the creation of technologies for animal disease detection, prevention, and response.

The Vermont Department of Health opened the $31 million Public Health Lab in October of 2014 in Colchester. Created in partnership with the University of Vermont College of Medicine, the 47,844-sf building is physically connected to the UVM Colchester Research Facility to support interactive research on infectious diseases. The project replaces the Department of Health's existing Burlington campus and features a biocontainment suite with five BSL-3 laboratories. Ground was broken on the facility in April of 2013.

The Pirbright Institute for Animal Health has awarded Shepherd Construction a $117 million contract to construct the Biological Resources Facility in the United Kingdom. The four-story, 80,000-sf project will support in-vivo testing for viruses including avian influenza. Completion is expected in 2018. Shepherd finished construction in August of 2014 on the first phase of redevelopment at the Pirbright campus, a $162 million, 119,100-sf biocontainment complex providing CL4 laboratories for animal disease testing and research.

Colorado State University opened the renovated Animal Sciences Building in September of 2014. The $19.5 million project created technology-rich classrooms and teaching labs in the 42,000-sf facility. The Animal Sciences Building includes BSL-2 research areas, labs for anatomy and physiology, and instructional space for microbiology and food safety. New mechanical, electrical, and telecommunications systems were installed. Construction began on the LEED-certified project in June of 2012 with completion in August of 2014.

Central Michigan University began construction in September of 2014 on the $95 million Biosciences Building in Mount Pleasant. Designed by Stantec, the four-story, 169,000-sf facility will provide teaching labs, research labs, a BSL-3 suite, lecture halls, classrooms, faculty offices, an auditorium, an herbarium, an imaging center, and an aquatic research vivarium. Occupancy is expected in January of 2017. LEED Silver sustainable design certification will be sought for the project, which is is being built by Clark Construction.