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University of Southern Maine Biosciences Institute:
A Template for Facility Phasing
SMMA's two-phased vertical design solution enables USM to do two things: create a 60,000sf laboratory facility in a very constrained site and build it over time as funding becomes available.
Receive funding, design the facility, and identify the use is not the typical order in which academic institutions lay the groundwork for capital improvements. But the University of Southern Maine had an opportunity and proceeded to capitalize on it, regardless of an unusual chronology.
In 2001 the Maine legislature passed a bill to boost the State’s research and development market. As a result, the University of Southern Maine found itself with $2.8 million in seed money, which it proceeded to leverage and grow for the purpose of creating a research institute that would provide research space to support the development of graduate and undergraduate programs in the biosciences.
USM retained the services of SMMA to plan the laboratory.
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The first challenge was readily apparent: designing a facility without knowing its specific use. USM had funds and needed to proceed, even while it was recruiting researchers. But the university expected the completed building to reflect exactly what the yet-to-be-identified occupant needed. “We were not looking for a facility that was highly flexible, with movable benches, heavily loaded systems, or drop-down utilities”, explains David Barbour, USM’s Director of Facilities Management. “It is our observation that once academic institutions put benches in place, they stay put. We think money that might be spent on flexible infrastructure is better invested elsewhere in the facility.”
The second challenge emerged as SMMA developed the preliminary program and studied the site. In preparing for code review and permitting processes, SMMA unearthed a legislative requirement that USM designs had to reflect all local codes and follow LEED™ guidelines. The University had typically done so on previous projects as a courtesy to the community, but the new awareness that such consideration was required, rather than optional, demanded more planning and increased community involvement. |
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Until the researchers and use could be identified, SMMA focused on the essential aspects of adding to a building that had to continue to operate and developing generic laboratory space that could be customized after a primary occupant was named. Working with a committee of University researchers and scientists, SMMA created a laboratory concept that could be customized to reflect the specific needs of the final occupants.
Plans for the building called for 60,000 sf that could be phased as funds became available. Although the site was extremely tight, the building could grow…vertically. A mechanical penthouse was designed to support the full build out and placed on the roof of an already existing building so that future construction could easily proceed on top of the Institute’s first phase. A basement and two stories above a ground level would accommodate the primary user and some smaller bioscience labs. As the University’s new R&D initiatives evolved, the additional three stories could be added as phase two.
The University successfully hired a new lead researcher who would also work with the state and other regional and national organizations on various initiatives. As his and his team’s specific needs were identified, project momentum increased. To expedite communication and decision-making, USM facilities experts, members of the user research team, the construction manager, the specialty lab programmer, chair of the building committee, and potential building tenants met in SMMA’s conference center in an intensive 8-hour workshop.
Throughout the day SMMA specialists in engineering, site planning, interiors, and sustainability joined the core design team to answer questions, provide information, and propose options. Plenary sessions broke into focus groups as needed to address such matters as sustainable design and infrastructure. “It was our first experience at assembling a complete USM/A&E team to perform a massive project review, and we will require this approach on other projects. At the end of a very long, very good day we had moved the project substantially, and the USM participants felt their direct input had been worthwhile.”
Permitting challenges proved formidable, as SMMA and the University embarked on new territory. Engagement with internal and external authorities, fire marshal, City council, zoning board, and neighbors demanded incrementally greater investigation, study, and design. But after 18 months the University had its approvals in hand. |
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Vertical Phased Construction
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USM’s Biosciences Institute houses the Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology and the Maine Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health. Researchers study the effects of metals and other particulars on people and marine animals. A vivarium, customized labs, generic labs, and support space facilitate the work of the principal investigator and a team of 12 -15.
As for the permitting effort, according to Barbour, “SMMA was the right firm to handle this. We did our homework and learned how to proceed, so that the next University project was able to sail right through. We have continued to work with the City and now have updated zoning for the entire campus.”
Located at the brow of a hill overlooking student and recreational centers, the Institute presents a new public face for the sciences at USM and has significantly improved the appearance of the Science Complex. |
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