LABORATORY INTERIORS & PLANNING

Chernoff Thompson Architects has designed numerous research and laboratory interior projects for university, government and corporate clients, many of which involve biotechnology facilities. For additional research facilities involving laboratory planning refer to the University and Research pages.

Cardiome Pharma Corp., a private biotechnology company, occupies the entire top floor of the TEF III building located on the University of British Columbia campus. Within the 1,300 sm of usable space, 465 sm consists of laboratory spaces. They are: Pharmacology, Electrophysiology, Synthetic Chemistry and a Bio-Analytical Chemistry Lab. A total of 14 low flow fumehoods are installed, which ties into the LEED requirement of the base building. Other LEED features are the use of Medite 2 core, low VOC paint, and energy-efficient light fixtures. The remaining 836 sm provides corporate offices, scientist's offices, meeting space, open offices and record storage. Throughout the laboratory and office space the users enjoy natural light.

Owing to their business growth, Kinexus decided to move to a new expanded space in the TEF III Building at UBC. The administrative space was designed to be an integral part of laboratory space with use of extensive glazing to enhance visual and spatial continuity. Direct/indirect lighting concept was used in the laboratory space for optimum computer imaging work which was a significant part of their research process. This is Chernoff Thompson Architect's second project with Kinexus.

A six million dollar tenant improvement in the False Creek Multi-Tenant Building A. This project includes two floors of laboratories and one floor of corporate offices for Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the fusion of medical device technologies and pharmaceutical therapies. Features include several state-of-the-art teleconferencing rooms, teaching and support facilities, a Mass Spectrometer, 400 linear meters of lab bench-top and casework, 22 fume-hoods, a tissue culture suite, radiation laboratory, and quarantine storage.

The BC Cancer Foundation's Genome Science Centre is the state-of-the-art research facility that first sequenced the SARS virus. This project consolidated labs and offices from several locations into 3 floors of a new biotechnology research building at 7th and Ash, Vancouver. This building was also designed by Chernoff Thompson Architects. Departments relocating to the new facility include Bioinformatics, Proteomics, Sequencing, CG and Mapping. The facility includes a server room with a capacity of over 1,300 server computers.

This facility is a 836 sm tenant improvement in the Donald Rix Building at UBC for Forbes Medi-Tech, a company conducting biotechnology research involving wet chemistry, food discovery, and pharmaceutical discovery laboratories.

The GEM facility in St. Paul’s Hospital requires improvements to advance the iCapture research program which will include facilities for conventional and transgenic animals. The renovation will provide a full spectrum of spaces. Barrier, conventional and containment facilities will be provided along with the necessary support spaces such as loading/receiving cage wash and staff support. The circulation system is designed to optimize flows and access, while minimizing clean/dirt conflicts. Access to all areas are direct, while establishing physical proximities and separations as required.

Renovations to three floors of the original (1913) St. Paul's Hospital building to accommodate 1,208 sm of high-level laboratory and computer information system spaces for cardio-pulmonary research. The work included a large computer server room, a TEM laboratory, several specialized microscope and laser-scope rooms, specimen storage rooms and flexible research laboratories with world class fit-up components. Challenges included providing a world-class image, distinct yet coordinated into the overall hospital fabric; providing laboratory services, including HVAC, in a historic building without typical laboratory infrastructure, and construction in a 24hour/7day critical care facility. Mechanical Infrastructure challenges included removing and existing elevator in order to use the houstway for duct routing space, coring a 6' x 15' opening through 6 floors of the building for additional duct space, and logistics involving a new HVAC air handling unit.

A new 2,880 sm tenant improvement for Chromos Molecular System. The laboratory is located in a renovated warehouse building which enjoys an abundance of interior light through skylights and a large clerestory window spine at the centre of the lab block. Design features include modular open labs, provision for a future GMP clean room suite, and a central atrium which serves as an informal meeting and social space.

A new 1,045 sm facility in Richmond for a pharmaceutical company who had outgrown their previous spaces and wanted to have both their laboratory and office in the same location. The office and lab functions are both incorporated in the space, but for security reasons, the lab is only accessible through a controlled door. There is room for future growth in the lab space and plenty of flexible office space to provide for a variety of workspace configurations. Additional spaces include reception, prep area, a boardroom, meeting rooms, darkroom, lunch area, washrooms, and a unit washroom with shower. Finishes were selected for their durability and low cost in order to get the most value for the client.

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