The Client

As a regional hospital and medical center, the client’s focus on medical education is an integral component of their mission. In addition to their research center and formal medical education programs for residency and fellow-ship training, our client and their affliates offer health education and training through the Schools of Allied Health, a Dietetic Internship Program and EMS Training.

One of our client’s goals with their new research center is to generate new discoveries that will reduce the burden of disease for their commu-nity. They do so using this three-prong approach.

Clinical Trials Epidemiologic Studies Health Services Research Studies

These three arms of research allows our client to be on the forefront of new information, so that the care that patients receive is based on the best clinical evidence available.

Project Goals and Challenges

The recent expansion of a local hospital included the design and construction of an offsite research facility for approximately twenty researchers. Early on, the project faced many challenges including a strict timeline for the design and installation as well as the need to create a flexible layout that would meet the future needs of the laboratory and allow it to adapt to changes in equipment and technology.

DS&D worked closely with the architect and hospital staff to evaluate, design and document the layout of the new space. During this process, the involvement of the laboratory manager and architect was critical to make sure the needs of the hospital were met. The hospital chose to use ThermoFisher maple casework, ThermoFisher Concept “Hi- Performance” fume hoods and grey epoxy resin worktops.

The project included a large main lab, two tissue culture labs, as well as equipment and support space along with a new mechanical system.

The lab was designed around a unique “center service core” developed by the architect. The center service cores have umbilicals at the ends through which the mechanical services and

Project Summary

LocationDanbury, CT

Project Scope4.200 sq.ft, 20+ workstations

ManufacturerThermoFischer Scientific

ProductCasework & Fume Hoods Laboratory Equipment

No Obstacle Too Great As Project Delivers on Time and Under Budget

www.dancker.com

pictured above: Thermo Scientific Maple Casework

pictured above: Thermo Scientific Concept fume hood with maple casework

www.dancker.com

electrical/data services are distributed to the bench. The balance of the casework on the islands is completely flexible. Sturdy adjustable height equipment tables and mobile instrument carts are on either side and adjacent to the cores. Mobile pedestals underneath the tables and carts were added for additional storage space.

The many features of the research facility captured all the components of a modern laboratory. The inclusion of laboratory equip-ment throughout the facility created a balanced work environment that provided the research-ers with the solutions for them to perform their job effectively.

Outside of the challenges of time and installa-tion schedules, DS&D utilized a cunning combi-nation of innovation and know-how to maintain the ceiling threshold. For the center service cores to capture the architect’s true vision, the height of the cores had to be exact. In addition, casework had to be specially fabricated both for the fixed fume hoods as well as the center service cores so that they seamlessly ended at the ceiling without losing their aesthetics.

The Solution

Within four months this project went from design to completion. The flexible design of the lab actually condensed the installation timeframe. DS&D and the general contractor developed a phasing and construction sched-ule that was beneficial to everyone involved. The sinks, fume hoods and fixed casework around the perimeter of the lab were brought in early so the mechanical trades could begin their installation. The movable casework and equip-ment was brought in at the end of the installa-tion. DS&D also provided the majority of the new laboratory equipment for the lab. This included several products from ThermoFisher Scientific including, centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers, CO2 incubators and biological safety cabinets.

The two tissue culture rooms (pictured below) are where the bulk of the laboratory equipment. These dedicated 200 sq. ft. rooms included two safety cabinets, two freezers, and a centrifuge.

Flexibility was also accomplished via the inclusion of mobile pedestals since they function as a modular add-on feature to the workstations. Although the space is ideal for twenty researchers, the specifc selection of product provides the client with a proactive solution to anticipate growth.

The Results

The client was pleased with DS&D's ability to adhere to the condensed timeline. Overall, the ability to systematically manage the installation schedule from the perimeter inward proved to be the most significant factor in meeting the strict timeline. In addition to the perseverance of the installation teams, the amount of detail applied to maintaining the aesthetics of the lab throughout the process ensured the architect’s design and vision would be captured. As an added bonus, the project came in under the original budget.

pictured above: Fisher Hamilton Laboartory Equipment

pictured above: Center service core

pictured above: ThermoFisher Safety Cabinets and Freezers