Science + Technology Solutions for Global Challenges

INNOVATION & DISCOVERY

The Science Behind the Building

Medicago is a company on the cutting-edge of vaccine development and production. In their Research Triangle Park facility, they are transforming access to vaccines through the production of plant-made pharmaceuticals.

Today's research and development environments are fueled by a combination of investigative collaboration and access to cutting edge technology. Creating science and technology spaces that are flexible, state-of-the-art, and optimal has become the drive of today’s leading companies and research institutions. Life Science facilities have made a significant transition over the last 10-15 years from back of house facilities to being showcases of the great science that occurs within them. As these facilities have become more public, the desire for collaboration to occur has become a norm. Innovation in laboratory facility design has begun to include amenity spaces that foster collaboration and create a community culture inside and outside of the labs. It has become more prevalent in facilities for educational institutions, developer lead tenant laboratories, corporate research campuses, and in manufacturing facilities.

Merging Pharma and the Greenhouse

Plant-made pharmaceuticals are anticipated to be a $100 billion industry by the year 2020. With the ability to produce 50 vaccine doses per plant, versus 1-2 doses using the traditional egg method, plant-made pharmaceuticals have tremendous capacity to protect our population from the flu, Ebola, Zika, and other diseases.

Flexibility For Varied Research

To meet the demands of rapidly changing research requirements, laboratory environments are increasingly called upon to be flexible and customizable.

RTI, a non-profit independent research and development company, primarily operates as a coop with researchers as tenants, making flexibility in their spaces a top priority. This laboratory renovation created spaces that support the flow of experiments for multiple groups: Analytical Chemistry (AC) group, Energy Technology Division (ETD), and Analytical Chemistry + Pharmaceuticals. By designing new buildings and renovations that can be modified quickly and cost effectively, we support our clients in efficiently achieving their goals now and in the future.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

STEM, STEAM, and STEM-H demand is growing across the nation as students, private businesses, and institutions recognize the tremendous career opportunities in these fields. To create effective STEM teaching environments, designers and institutions must promote interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on learning, and independent research.

The Health & Human Sciences Building at Western Carolina University is a cutting-edge facility that promotes collaboration between scientific disciplines as well as between faculty and students. Structured around a light-filled central atrium, labs, classrooms, a teaching clinic, and coffee shop share spaces for both collaboration and reflection. Responsive to its site, the building capitalizes on stunning mountain views with a 20,000 square foot roof garden.