Planning Considerations for Design of Vivaria With Efficient Operation and Functional Flexibility
Mary Le Johnson, WHR Architects
Dr. Bradford S. Goodwin, Jr., Center for Laboratory Animal Medicine and Care, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Early discussions of vivarium operations during planning can have a critical effect on the long-term flexibility of the facility, and on the safety of animals and personnel. During this presentation, attendees will learn about planning and design considerations that have an impact on building infrastructure; specialty areas such as surgery, animal holding, procedure rooms, and cage wash; and facility biosecurity and biosafety, particularly when transferring animals.
Top experts in the field of veterinary medicine and vivarium planning and design will elaborate on the operational and design aspects of the facilities that are proving to be more successful and efficient. Examples of specific institutional projects and national/international trends will be discussed.
Discussion topics will include:
- Planning strategies
- Flexibility investments for future changes in research programs.
- Operational-based solutions that lower costs.
- Design of animal rooms for future flexibility.
- Barrier facility for rodent and multi-species facilities.
- Separation of services for operation efficiency and animal safety.
- New facility features
- Facility features that improve flexibility and lower operating costs.
- Biocontainment and biosafety features for animal operations.
- Facility operations
- Labor reduction and staffing efficiency.
- Biosafety and biosecurity.
- Separation of vivarium operation and building maintenance.
- Segregation of circulation and restricted access.
Our presentation and supplementary materials will include photos, fly-throughs, floor plans, and space/section plans of specific case studies and projects for a variety of national and international leading research institutions.
Biographies:
Mary Le Johnson, AIA, ASID, LEED® AP, is a principal and shareholder for WHR Architects, Inc. She has been with the firm for more than 10 years and currently serves as project manager and program planner. In addition to being a member of the American Institute of Architects and the American Society of Interior Designers, Ms. Johnson participates in the Texas Society of Architects and the Rice Design Alliance. Ms. Johnson has worked on a variety of projects over the past 15 years, but specializes in the planning and design of research, nursing, and allied health facilities.
Dr. Bradford S. Goodwin, Jr., DVM, DACLAM, received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Michigan State University. He entered the U.S. Army after graduation and served a total of 34 years in the Army Veterinary Corps. He spent 14 years on active duty with a three-year tour in Hawaii and the rest of his time in the greater Washington, D.C., area. He became a diplomat of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine in 1984 and has been professor and executive director of the Center for Laboratory Animal Medicine and Care at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston since 1989. Dr. Bradford has recently completed 12 years on the Council of Accreditation of the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care–International, serving as council vice president for the last two years. He also is Visiting Professor of Laboratory Animal Medicine at Ross University, School of Veterinary Medicine, located in St. Kitts, West Indies.