AZ BioDesign Building A

Described as Arizona�s largest investment to date in biotech research facilities, the BioDesign Institute represents the most exciting large scale science and technology construction project in the area. Building A consists of 170,000 square feet of laboratory and office space, distributed on three stories and a lower level. Located near the intersection of Terrace and Rural boulevards, Building A utilizes a dramatic aesthetic effect of brick and glass fa�ade to enhance a design that includes an open flexible interior with a large three story atrium centered in the building, allowing significant natural light throughout both the office and laboratory areas, encouraging research collaboration and lets the building evolve to fit specific project needs

The BioDesign Institute will become the home to ten research centers representing fields such as neural rehabilitation, genomics, molecular biophysics, neutraceuticals and plant-based vaccines and nano-scale bio-optics and bioscience. With ambitious goals ranging from finding treatments that may cure cancer, to studies on managing the effects of Alzheimers, to creating devices that can monitor your health and dispense medications as needed, the Institute will strive to make improvements in the quality of human life.

The first phase of the Institute, budgeted at $69 million, was recently opened with the hope of attracting top bioscience researchers to its state of the art laboratories. The first phase was financed by research grants and the Proposition 301 sales tax approved in 2000.

Without knowing what researchers would eventually occupy the laboratory spaces when designing the mechanical systems, flexibility was the most paramount design criteria. With the MEP portion of the project representing forty percent of the project budget, significant emphasis was placed on satisfying the MEP requirements at time of design, and the ability to make modifications when the laboratory tenants were selected. Due to the nature of the CM at risk contract awarded to Sundt / DPR, Dynamic Systems was selected early in the design process allowing interface with the designers of the project far earlier than a standard design - bid �build format. Thru the use of our 3D design software, we were able to illustrate to the project team our vision of the mechanical systems prior to their actual installation.

The air delivery requirements for the laboratory spaces are satisfied via nine custom built air handling units, located in the penthouse. Both office and common areas are supplied by four custom built air handling units, utilizing outside air, located in the penthouse. The laboratory exhaust requirements are satisfied by twelve custom laboratory exhaust fans, utilizing welded stainless steel ductwork. Laboratory control valves were called for in the design to regulate airflow, temperature and humidity in the laboratory spaces. Mechanical chases have been designed to provide a means of delivery for supply and exhaust air and mechanical and laboratory piping. These chases were designed large enough to accommodate future design changes.

Construction has begun on Building B, located directly North of Building A, which will add another 170,000 sf and connect the two buildings at each level via a link. Future phases could bring the total square footage of the Institute to 800,000 square feet.