Laboratory Flexibility & User Needs

Nicholas A. Caronna, Clark, Richardson and Biskup Consulting Engineers, Inc.
David Brownlee, Perkins & Will

Abstract:

Few facility types consume more energy than a research and development laboratory. Proper planning to incorporate user immediate objectives as well as future technology changes (i.e., "research"), require an integrated design approach to proactively reduce the energy consumption and improve the environmental conditions within the facility. Business unit objectives are a critical factor in all design decisions. Flexibility and Adaptability of laboratories will be discussed.

Nicholas and Joseph have designed over 1 million SF of laboratory space. They have been continuously working on a variety of buildings in the private and public sector, leading the charge in the flexible and green building types. This presentation will discuss the relationship between the owners need for control of first cost, the facility managers need to control safety and operating cost and the designers responsibility for health safety and welfare. All of these decisions must be managed to balance the needs against the return on investment. Attendees will learn the laboratory planning steps, how to incorporate user needs of primary investigators not yet hired, as well as pros/cons of tenant/ownership options. Finally, they will layout a management method/process required for a design team to successfully implement these decisions.

Key Issues:

• Adaptable vs. Flexible Laboratories
• How to Incorporate New & Future Technologies (i.e. Bioinformatics, Combinatorial Chemistry, Robotics, etc.) into the Laboratory Process
• The Architectural Considerations for Flexible/Adaptable Laboratories
• The Mechanical and Electrical Considerations for Flexible/Adaptable Laboratories
• Tenant vs. Ownership strategies

Biographies:

Nicholas A. Caronna, P.E. is a licensed Mechanical Engineer in 8 states with over 21 years experience in programming and designing laboratories and challenging industrial facilities for private and public sector clients. He has a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Syracuse University and is a member of ISPE, ASHRAE, and AFE. As a Senior Project Manager and Associate with Clark, Richardson & Biskup Consulting Engineers, Inc. ("CRB"), he is also the Advanced Technology Core Team Leader, responsible for the laboratory and high technology business sector for the Southeast. He has presented "Green Lab Design" at Tradeline, and authored "Preventing Combustion in Hazardous-Area Design" for Consulting-Specifying Engineer, May 1994.

He has recently served as Engineering Project Manager for:

• 1999 National Design/Build, Award-winning Eli Lilly/Sphinx Pharmaceutical Laboratory Building, RTP, NC (1998/1999)
• Closure Medical Lab/Manuf. Facility, Raleigh, NC (1999)
• Amersham Pharmacia Laboratory, Piscataway, NJ (1999/2000)
• Paradigm Genetics Laboratory Facility, RTP, NC (2000)
• Biogen Bio-24 Laboratory Facility, RTP, NC (2001/2002)
• Duke University BL-3 Laboratory, Durham, NC (2002)
• Confidential Client Rodent Facility Study, Athens, GA (2002)
• Confidential Client Laboratory Facility, Athens, GA (2002/2003)
• Biogen Pilot Plant, RTP, NC (2002 Design only)

CRB is a preeminent planner, designer, builder, and consultant for advanced technology clients; particularly laboratory, university, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and mission critical facilities. CRB offices are located in Kansas City, St. Louis, Cary, NC, and Philadelphia, with satellites offices in San Diego, and Minneapolis.

David S. Brownlee is the Director of Science & Technology for Perkins & Will, an architectural firm with offices in Boston, New York, Research Triangle Park, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and Shanghai. He specializes in managing fast track design projects and the quality control procedures associated with project delivery. Recent experience includes work as the project executive for the design of several successful R&D facilities. He holds two Bachelor of Science degrees from Oklahoma State University and a Master from the North Carolina State University School of Design. David is a past Board member and a current Officer for the Carolina South Atlantic Chapter of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering. For the past 16 years he has been achieving success with pharmaceutical and corporate clients by: understanding the time/monetary pressures on the R&D industry; and matching the needs of the owner to a quality team delivery.