DMD R&D Headquarters
DMD R&D Headquarters | Bedford, MA
This retrofit included the conversion of existing core and shell space into a new 275,000-sq.-ft. headquarters for a confidential pharmaceutical client. The project scope includes lab space, open and closed office space, a gymnasium and all new electrical and mechanical systems. The new space served to consolidate the client’s existing lab and office spaces that were previously spread throughout the Greater Boston area, working to develop and commercialize the next generation of therapies for Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy.
Project Details
This facility accommodates full quality assurance laboratories, quality control laboratories, mass spec, glass wash, central servicing, process development laboratories, engineering support, warehousing, new c-suite offices and an engineering library. The project was phased to support the consolidation and staff relocation efforts. DPR’s self-perform division supported Division 7, Division 10, drywall and labor.
Collaborative Approach Through Design-Assist
Due to the complexity of the building conversion, DPR was engaged during design alongside the mechanical and electrical partners to execute a Design-Assist strategy early in the project. This collaboration created efficiencies across all parties and promoted early discussions and team input on cost and scheduling during the design phase. This allowed the team to get ahead of long lead items including AHU, UPS and CRAC units. This, along with early laser scanning, helped accelerate the preconstruction phase. This collaborative process allowed the team to make decisions early on, avoiding costly rework mid-construction, and allowed the client to take the 50-year-old building and retrofit it for life sciences usage.
Building Conversion Office to Lab
The existing site consisted of a 288,000-square-foot building with a unique Hambro structural system that was not originally designed to support the loads and utility requirements of lab and pilot plant spaces. The team began by reinforcing the building’s entire structural system to meet the new capacity demands.
MEP coordination was critical due to the limited existing floor-to-ceiling heights. The Hambro system’s open-web trusses required all MEP systems to be carefully coordinated and integrated with the newly reinforced steel structure above the ceiling space. DPR also relocated electrical rooms and shafts to better support the client’s processes and align with the new floor plans.
Prior to DPR’s scope, a base building contractor was engaged to warm up the shell for repositioning. DPR and the base building contractor worked collaboratively onsite, requiring consistent communication through weekly meetings and daily huddles to coordinate safety, logistics, schedule and work areas as each phase was completed.
We think you'll like this, too.
