Three people wearing white lab coats working in a biosciences lab

What We Build Research & Development

Breaking ground for your groundbreaking research

Whether your focus is cellular biology, robotics or chemicals, DPR is dedicated to enabling high-performance research and development environments through strategic planning, technical integration and operational excellence. We partner with stakeholders across the full life cycle, from aligning with institutional research goals and programming spatial requirements, to engineering infrastructure systems that support specialized equipment and regulatory compliance. Our research and development construction expertise spans cleanrooms, advanced MEP systems, and adaptable lab configurations, ensuring safe, efficient and future-ready facilities that accelerate scientific discovery.

R&D Expertise

World Class Research and Development Facilities

As scientific innovation accelerates, facilities must evolve in parallel to support emerging research lines and the growth of existing capacity. DPR leverages deep expertise in mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems and capital equipment integration to deliver technically robust, schedule-sensitive research and development builds. Our cost modeling and systems planning ensure operational readiness while embedding adaptability for future retrofits and expansions. With change as a constant, our approach anticipates lifecycle shifts—enabling facilities to remain compliant, efficient and adaptable to next-generation scientific demands.

Interior view of a research and development lab showing workstations and equipment
Interior view of a research and development lab showing workstations and equipment

World Class Research and Development Facilities

As scientific innovation accelerates, facilities must evolve in parallel to support emerging research lines and the growth of existing capacity. DPR leverages deep expertise in mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems and capital equipment integration to deliver technically robust, schedule-sensitive research and development builds. Our cost modeling and systems planning ensure operational readiness while embedding adaptability for future retrofits and expansions. With change as a constant, our approach anticipates lifecycle shifts—enabling facilities to remain compliant, efficient and adaptable to next-generation scientific demands.

DPR presents a high level of professional competence to our clients and research teams, which helps build trust and reduces their stress. Project costs are established with certainty, which allows the clients to get as much lab as their budget allows. The team is attentive to our needs as an owner, and we work together to integrate labs into the buildings with minimal impact on existing clients. They are, quite simply, a joy to work with.

Allison Madden, MBA, Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary

University of South Florida Research Foundation, Inc.

Growing Scientific Innovation

New research begins with a concept. To translate these ideas from hypotheses into validated discoveries, early-stage research requires a space that supports immediate functionality and is operationally agile. DPR’s nimble teams and self-perform crews, with technical laboratory expertise, can engage early to guide layout planning, regulatory navigation, and equipment integration to efficiently move into construction providing cost and schedule predictability. From initial fit-out to future expansion, DPR remains engaged as strategic partners—ensuring your facility evolves in step with your science.

Photo: Umoja Biopharmaceutical Lab

Interior of a biopharma research and development lab with two people working at workstations

Adaptable Lab Environments

These modular laboratory environments are designed to support dynamic programmatic needs with minimal disruption to ongoing operations. They feature a ballroom configuration—open-plan layout that allows for versatile spatial arrangements—alongside utility drops that enable plug-and-play access to power, data, and other services. Demountable partitions provide the ability to quickly reconfigure lab zones without permanent construction. These elements work together to ensure that reconfigurations and maintenance activities that DPR is experienced in can occur with minimal impact on critical operations.

Photo: Genia Technologies Lab

A research and development lab.
Interior of a biopharma research and development lab with two people working at workstations

Growing Scientific Innovation

New research begins with a concept. To translate these ideas from hypotheses into validated discoveries, early-stage research requires a space that supports immediate functionality and is operationally agile. DPR’s nimble teams and self-perform crews, with technical laboratory expertise, can engage early to guide layout planning, regulatory navigation, and equipment integration to efficiently move into construction providing cost and schedule predictability. From initial fit-out to future expansion, DPR remains engaged as strategic partners—ensuring your facility evolves in step with your science.

Photo: Umoja Biopharmaceutical Lab

A research and development lab.

Adaptable Lab Environments

These modular laboratory environments are designed to support dynamic programmatic needs with minimal disruption to ongoing operations. They feature a ballroom configuration—open-plan layout that allows for versatile spatial arrangements—alongside utility drops that enable plug-and-play access to power, data, and other services. Demountable partitions provide the ability to quickly reconfigure lab zones without permanent construction. These elements work together to ensure that reconfigurations and maintenance activities that DPR is experienced in can occur with minimal impact on critical operations.

Photo: Genia Technologies Lab

Industry Recognition

Rankings & Recognition By the Numbers

#1

Pharmaceutical Construction

Since 2017

DPR ranked #1 in pharmaceutical construction by ENR magazine every year since 2017.

$12B

Volume of completed R&D Laboratory construction projects

#3

Top University Building Construction Firms

2025

Building Design + Construction

#7

Top Science and Technology Construction Firms

2025

Building Design + Construction

3,000+

Completed Life Sciences projects valued at $21B

$9.7B

Volume of DPR’s life sciences work completed over the last five years

#2

DPR's rank on BD+C’s 2023 list of top laboratory construction firms

ENR Southwest Best Projects 

Mayo Clinic, Integrated Education and Research Building (IERB), Phoenix, AZ

2025 Award of Merit, Higher Education/Research

AZRE RED Award

Mayo Clinic Integrated Education and Research Building (IERB)

2025 Real Estate Development (RED) Awards Higher Education Project of the Year

Architizer A+ Awards

Arizona State University Health Futures Center

2023 Special Mention in Higher Education Research Facilities

IIDA NorCal Honor Awards

UCSF Joan & Sanford I Weil Neurosciences Building

2022 IIDA NorCal Honor Awards, HEAL Category Award

exterior view of north elevation of 3-story academic medical research building with glass curtain wall reflecting sunrise
Exterior of Mayo Clinic Integrated Education and Research Building
Building exterior in the desert
Exterior facing view of the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Neurosciences Building
exterior view of north elevation of 3-story academic medical research building with glass curtain wall reflecting sunrise
ENR Southwest Best Projects 

Mayo Clinic, Integrated Education and Research Building (IERB), Phoenix, AZ

2025 Award of Merit, Higher Education/Research

Exterior of Mayo Clinic Integrated Education and Research Building
AZRE RED Award

Mayo Clinic Integrated Education and Research Building (IERB)

2025 Real Estate Development (RED) Awards Higher Education Project of the Year

Building exterior in the desert
Architizer A+ Awards

Arizona State University Health Futures Center

2023 Special Mention in Higher Education Research Facilities

Exterior facing view of the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Neurosciences Building
IIDA NorCal Honor Awards

UCSF Joan & Sanford I Weil Neurosciences Building

2022 IIDA NorCal Honor Awards, HEAL Category Award

DPR is good at what they do. They get done what needs to be done in the specified timeframe. They finished on time, which was like a miracle, considering what everyone needed to go through!

Al Egan

Edwards Lifesciences

Project Types

Research & Development Our Experience

  • exterior sheet metal and glass building

    Our specialized laboratory construction expertise provides customers with a seasoned team to plan, coordinate, build and validate projects of all sizes and complexities.

    Eli Lilly Tenant Improvement

  • Interior view of a biocontainment laboratory facility

    To treat the most dangerous infectious diseases, researchers need highly specialized workspaces. DPR brings the same rigorous and meticulous planning to constructing these facilities as the scientists who work in them.

    Georgia State University Petit Science Center BSL-3 Lab Renovation

  • Interior view of a lab clean room

    DPR leads the industry in cleanroom construction expertise, supporting projects ranging from Cell and Gene Therapy single-use clinical trial space built under tight capital constraints to large bulk fermentation facilities for monoclonal antibodies. Our extensive database of stick-built and modular cleanroom projects can help inform which application is best for your project without the need for upfront commitments.

    Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Facility

  • Interior of a lab space in a plant sciences academic facility

    University teaching labs are educating the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. Our skilled teams deliver these facilities on time and on budget to enable your students to get to work.

    NCSU Plant Sciences Lab

  • Lab

    As the drive for innovation remains paramount for the Life Sciences industry, one of the essential steps in advancing your company’s R&D capabilities—the procurement of a facility’s research and development equipment—is also one of the most complex. Our in-house research and development project managers will execute the buyout and expediting services of this equipment so that you can focus on solving critical problems through new ideas. DPR’s investment in developing a supply chain program with professionals who bring broad and varied expertise provides best-in-class solutions to deploy and manage the entire procurement process.

    Photo: ATCC BSL3 Laboratory Renovation

Meet Our Leadership
National R&D Leadership
Line drawing of a table top with computer and equipment in a life sciences lab.
Photo of Dennis Kirkpatrick
who we are

Dennis Kirkpatrick

Life Sciences Core Market Co-Leader

Line drawing of a room in a life sciences lab.
Mike Marston headshot
who we are

Mike Marston

Life Sciences Core Market Co-Leader

who we are

Higher Education Core Market Leader

With a successful track record in a diverse range of market sectors including federal design-build construction, higher education, government R&D, mission critical and life sciences, Greg Fraikor brings a seasoned perspective and experience to his work.…

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