Making Connections for the Future of Medicine
Integrated Education and Research Building (IERB) | Phoenix, AZ
The Mayo Clinic IERB represents the future of medical research and training. Bringing together students, educators, scientists, and physicians, the state-of-the-art building features medical school classrooms, a lecture hall, the Center for Procedural Innovation lab, OSCE suites, wet labs, makerspace, a library, administrative offices, and a large outdoor event space.
About the Project
Totaling 150,000 sq. ft., the facility consists of a north and south block linked together with a connecting bridge. Its design allows for collaboration and flexibility, featuring spaces that can be shared by both the research and education groups. Between the two blocks is a large shaded outdoor "oasis" courtyard and terrace, which will function as interaction and event spaces. The IERB also sits next-door to the Arizona State University Health Futures Building, adding to a growing campus community that fosters cross-discipline connections.
Challenges and Solutions
High-Performing, Sustainable Facility
Several innovations focused on high-performing systems and materials to deliver a more sustainable building. This included the use of de-ionized water in an adiabatic humidification system, reducing reliance on steam and eliminating mineral contaminants—an approach the team extended beyond lab use to provide building-wide humidity control. To turn over a fully-functioning, state-of-the-art facility, commissioning was accelerated by early activation of IDF rooms and infrastructure, enabling digital systems, temperature/pressure-controlled research spaces, and AV-heavy educational areas to come online ahead of schedule.
As an Integrated Team
Tight spacing between vertical ductwork shafts made installing fire-rated barriers a near-impossible task. The whole team came together as one, including the mechanical engineer of record, trade partners, and vendors to evaluate the constraint, generate an engineering judgement for a fire-proofing detail unique to the project (while still keeping code compliance), and ensure a quality installation. This would not have been possible without proactive planning and a “one team” mindset.
Precast Stair Systems
Mayo Clinic needed a solution for exterior stairs that would provide the most durability and least long-term maintenance while also complementing the IERB’s design aesthetic. Working with our concrete design-assist partner, the team determined that Redistair® precast concrete stairs would be the ideal system, avoiding much of the time associated with cast-in-place stairs and offering a safer alternative to temporary stair systems for craft.
Automated Field Technology
This project pioneered a fully coordinated BIM model for all interior rough-in and finish installations, enabling early design decisions in collaboration with researchers and facilities. Laser-scanning ensured precise floor penetrations and structural embeds, minimizing rework. Notably, this was DPR’s first Arizona project to deploy Dusty the Robot (a robotic field printer that prints layout lines directly from the project model), shortening wall layout time by 80% and improving accuracy through direct BIM integration.
Challenges and
Solutions
High-Performing, Sustainable Facility
Several innovations focused on high-performing systems and materials to deliver a more sustainable building. This included the use of de-ionized water in an adiabatic humidification system, reducing reliance on steam and eliminating mineral contaminants—an approach the team extended beyond lab use to provide building-wide humidity control. To turn over a fully-functioning, state-of-the-art facility, commissioning was accelerated by early activation of IDF rooms and infrastructure, enabling digital systems, temperature/pressure-controlled research spaces, and AV-heavy educational areas to come online ahead of schedule.
As an Integrated Team
Tight spacing between vertical ductwork shafts made installing fire-rated barriers a near-impossible task. The whole team came together as one, including the mechanical engineer of record, trade partners, and vendors to evaluate the constraint, generate an engineering judgement for a fire-proofing detail unique to the project (while still keeping code compliance), and ensure a quality installation. This would not have been possible without proactive planning and a “one team” mindset.
Precast Stair Systems
Mayo Clinic needed a solution for exterior stairs that would provide the most durability and least long-term maintenance while also complementing the IERB’s design aesthetic. Working with our concrete design-assist partner, the team determined that Redistair® precast concrete stairs would be the ideal system, avoiding much of the time associated with cast-in-place stairs and offering a safer alternative to temporary stair systems for craft.
Automated Field Technology
This project pioneered a fully coordinated BIM model for all interior rough-in and finish installations, enabling early design decisions in collaboration with researchers and facilities. Laser-scanning ensured precise floor penetrations and structural embeds, minimizing rework. Notably, this was DPR’s first Arizona project to deploy Dusty the Robot (a robotic field printer that prints layout lines directly from the project model), shortening wall layout time by 80% and improving accuracy through direct BIM integration.
Recognized Among the Best
- 2025 AZ RED Award in Higher Education
- 2025 ENR Best Projects Award of Merit: Higher Education
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