UW IPD Research Lab Upgrade
UW Institute of Protein Design | Seattle, Washington
The Institute for Protein Design (IPD) is a leader in protein engineering, pioneering the design and creation of novel proteins for applications in medicine, technology and sustainability. To support its expanding teams and ongoing research, DPR Construction, one of Seattle’s leading life sciences builders, developed a new laboratory space on the third floor of the 330 Yale Building. The project included a partial demo of the existing space and a full buildout of an electron microscope suite, autoclave/glass washroom, tissue culture rooms and a new lobby.
Complex Coordination Seamless Results
The 26,187-sq.-ft. tenant improvement included two large laboratories, open office areas, conference rooms and specialty spaces designed to support advanced life sciences work. The scope encompassed installation of STC-rated walls and doors, specialty air diffusers, and shielding solutions such as a Faraday cage, while coordinating complex MEP systems within a congested existing ceiling. Custom display shelving and architectural finishes were integrated to maintain design intent, and DPR's self-perform team completed selective demolition, wall framing, backer replacement and finish carpentry.
Active Partner in Design
From the outset, DPR's team acted as an extension of the design group to keep the project on track. We began construction at design development and continued design progression and value engineering through ASI 01, clearly communicating which items could still be modified and which were locked due to the stage of construction. DPR's self-perform team was a critical contributor during design, providing feedback and alternate solutions for key scopes and architectural details. Their input gave the design team confidence that decisions were both constructable and aligned with the aggressive schedule. This approach allowed DPR to support the design team, maintain the fast-tracked schedule, and deliver cost-effective solutions that met design intent.
Delivering UW Needs at Super Speed
This project required substantial completion in less than four months from award; a deadline with no room for delay. DPR was the only contractor to present a workable plan to meet this goal, and it was executed successfully. By aligning stakeholders early, identifying and releasing long-lead procurement items immediately, and maintaining strict control of schedule milestones, DPR ensured the client's critical occupancy date was met without compromise to quality or safety. DPR's self-perform team executing key scopes allowed us to maintain control of the critical path, reduce dependency on outside crews, and respond quickly to design changes with practical solutions.
Self-Perform Elevating Aesthetics & Saving Lead Time
In the existing space, there were specialty metal perforated wall panels installed throughout, on both the walls and the ceiling. The original design called for fully replacing the panels. DPR identified this as a value‑engineering item early on that would reduce costs by $24,000 and avoid a significant lead time. Our self‑perform team uninstalled all the panels to replace the felt backer—changing it from gray to white—to achieve a different aesthetic. This required heightened coordination because the paneling had a specific pattern, and each panel had to return to its exact original location. The team took special measures to ensure every panel was returned to the correct position and installed properly the first time.
Originally, the design featured display cases in multiple locations throughout the project. However, the display cases had a lead time of more than 12 weeks, which would have pushed substantial completion past the desired date. They also came at a premium cost of $50,000, while UW’s target budget for the cases was $20,000. The self-perform team created a custom open‑shelving detail that achieved the desired design aesthetic while reducing the lead time to four weeks and meeting the target budget.
Infrastructure to Support Electron Microscope
With such a compact schedule, it was critical that the room be ready for installation and operation when the owner‑supplied electron microscope was delivered. The room was STC‑rated and included a Faraday cage to protect against electromagnetic radiation. DPR's self‑perform team sourced and installed the STC specialty doors and ceiling. In addition, specialty air dampers and diffusers were required. Close coordination with the acoustician was vital to ensure all components met the equipment’s requirements.
Beyond the STC requirements and extensive coordination, the entire air distribution system had to be redesigned due to the size of the air‑dampening equipment. DPR worked with its MEP partner to reroute all ductwork and electrical in the ceiling in under 48 hours to meet tight inspection timelines.
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