海角视频

3201 Cuthbert Street

Philadelphia, USA

海角视频 is delivering the specialist MEP infrastructure design to support the development of Philadelphia鈥檚 largest life sciences facility. The building, on the Drexel University campus, will provide much-needed laboratory space for the city鈥檚 flourishing community of life sciences businesses and research teams.

The city is seeing enormous growth in its scientific and innovation community, with nearly $5bn raised in venture capital for Philadelphia life science companies in 2021-2022. Regional employment for cell and gene therapy personnel more than doubled between 2019-2022.

3201 Cuthbert Street will be Philadelphia鈥檚 largest life sciences facility.

The project will include a mix of specialized research and laboratory space, together with commercial, academic and office facilities.

We designed bespoke, state-of-the-art building systems, based around insight into the requirements of laboratory research.

The lab spaces have been designed to accommodate cGMP manufacturing for life science spaces, including the capacity to accommodate bulk process gases.

Challenge

Philadelphia developer Gattuso Development Partners (GDP) is working in collaboration with Drexel University to construct the city鈥檚 largest life sciences facility, enabling its R1 research institute to continue to grow its mission.

Conveniently located close to Amtrak鈥檚 30^th Street Station, SEPTA鈥檚 Market-Frankford line, and the region鈥檚 highway network, the new building will be well-located to attract a highly-skilled science workforce to the area. 3201 Cuthbert is a partnership between Gattuso, Drexel, and financial partners Vigilant Real Estate Holdings of New York and Boston-based The Baupost Group.

海角视频 was engaged to provide building services engineering (MEP), energy modelling and LEED consulting services for this expansive research center. The project will include a mix of specialized research and laboratory space, together with commercial, academic and office facilities, providing a best-in-class space for tenants, students, visitors and the University鈥檚 faculty. As well as the University, a nationally renowned advanced laboratory and manufacturing solutions provider will be an anchor tenant, alongside a range of start-up and spin-out companies.

Solution

Designed by Robert AM Stern Architects (RAMSA), the new building will feature a precast concrete facade with large metal-framed windows that will present an orderly grid strategically punctuated at key points throughout the structure. On the south side, a series of protruding glass boxes will extend outwards, housing special meeting rooms overlooking the campus. An outdoor space on the fourth floor will provide tenants with a landscaped terrace, while a two-story covered loggia below will extend the abundant connections to the outdoors.

Our MEP team carefully coordinated the MEP plant and infrastructure that might ordinarily be located on the roof, to allow the rooftop facility to be developed. The building鈥檚 cascading northern facade will also offer a series of dynamic views of the Philadelphia skyline. Outside, Cuthbert Walk provides a lush, landscaped park environment.

As a leader in sustainable laboratory design, we designed bespoke, state-of-the-art building systems for the center, based around insight into the requirements of laboratory research, while the building鈥檚 programming will include flexible, functional spaces that will stimulate educational and research partnerships between Drexel University and the city鈥檚 flourishing life science innovation ecosystem.

Specialist facilities include best practice chemical storage space and pH neutralization capacity, generous space for tenant equipment and vertical shaft infrastructure, with five service elevators. The electrical infrastructure will allow 15 watts per square foot of power for lab areas with significant emergency back-up power mitigations. HVAC will be able to accommodate up to a 70% to 30% lab to office split, providing 1.5 CFMS/SF (cubic feet per minute per square foot of airflow) or greater for lab areas. This ensures air quality, as well as helping to control temperature and humidity in laboratory environments.

The lab spaces have been designed to accommodate cGMP manufacturing (current good manufacturing practices) for life science spaces, including the capacity to accommodate bulk process gases.

We have also delivered a range of specific infrastructure requirements for the anchor tenant, including clean steam generation, acid neutralisation facilities, dedicated generators and air handling equipment, all in support of the anchor tenant鈥檚 cGMP program.

Our experts also developed an adaptable MEP program to enable the highest levels of flexibility for other tenants coming into the building. We have a subconsultant, EnviEnergy Studio, delivering energy modelling and LEED administration, to support an aspiration for WBE participation (Women Business Enterprise) for the project. The project is targeting LEED Gold.

Value

Situated at the heart of Philadelphia鈥檚 life sciences community, 3201 Cuthbert will be perfectly positioned and equipped to support discovery, collaboration, and innovation in the field, with the most robust life sciences infrastructure in the region.

The MEP infrastructure, functionality and flexibility essential to supporting life sciences will be delivered as part of a landmark scheme that brings tenants modern amenities, comfortable working environments and vibrant connections to the outdoors.