Expanding Manufacturing Capabilities Through a Flexible Research Facility
When a leading national research institution required expanded manufacturing capacity within its existing campus, HED was selected from a slate of qualified design firms to plan and design the new facility. The project demanded a balance of elegance, durability, and precision performance, all delivered within a tightly controlled budget and on a site already constrained by existing infrastructure.
The expansion connects directly to an active complex, requiring careful sequencing of construction and utilities to avoid disruptions. The client also sought a facility that would elevate the architectural character of the campus, moving beyond the strictly industrial aesthetic of surrounding structures. At the same time, the building needed to maintain a robust physical presence, with enhanced sound isolation and infrastructure systems capable of supporting sensitive processes.
Inside, the facility was designed around flexibility. HED’s lab planning approach organized large adaptable spaces supported by an integrated distribution system that delivers specialty gases and liquids to multiple points throughout the building. This infrastructure allows the client to configure and reconfigure equipment layouts as research evolves, providing long-term adaptability.
Precision environmental control was another critical goal. HED’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering teams designed HVAC systems capable of maintaining temperatures within a margin of +/- 1°C—an essential requirement for the advanced processes planned for the space. Robust electrical capacity and ICT systems were also built in, enabling the building to accommodate both current and future technology demands.
Architecturally, the new structure presents a clean, refined presence while remaining cohesive with the surrounding campus. The design integrates architecture, structural engineering, lab planning, MEP, and ICT services into a seamless solution that supports innovation at the highest level.
The result is a facility that strengthens the client’s manufacturing and research capabilities while providing the flexibility and precision needed to support the next generation of scientific discovery.