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By K. Robert Wendel

A new research institute in the heart of downtown Phoenix promises to be key weapon in finding the causes and cures of cancer, diabetes and other diseases, as well as developing cures for those plagued with disease.

The Phoenix offices of the SmithGroup Architects and DPR Construction teamed to build the new headquarters of the Translational Genomics Research Institute and the International Genomics Consortium, beating six other teams to win the job.

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"One of the missions of TGen is to translate all of the discoveries of the human genome project and translate them into medical applications," said Richard Love, TGen's chief operating officer. >> "The mission of the IGC is to disseminate the genomic data on diseases and publish it so it's available for everybody. Genomic research is the hottest area in medicine today."

The building's fast-track construction launched in August 2003 with earthwork commencing at the 14.6- acre site at Washington Boulevard and Third Street. DPR and Smith Group are building the $45-million, six-story project under a design-build contract that calls for November occupancy.

"Form follows function," said building designer Brian Perkins of SmithGroup. "The design of the building expresses what is going on inside."

The IGC/TGen organizations plan to conduct cutting- edge biomedical research that capitalizes on the recent milestones in mapping the human genome.

Scientists and researchers from around the world are being courted to bring their work to the new building to create a first-class research center. The project is one of the key selling points. The city of Phoenix is funding the project through bonds and will lease the space to TGen/IGC.

"The city of Phoenix wanted a signature, world-class building to support the research that goes on inside," said DPR's project manager Bart Rogers. "The building is also a recruiting tool to bring researchers to Phoenix."

The complicated project is as much a machine as a building. Because of the wide variety and types of planned research that is expected, architects kept the building as flexible and open as possible. Designers also wanted to avoid venturing into high-rise zoning, further complicating the need to pack in as much useable space as possible in the 170,000-sq.-ft. building.

The Phoenix office of HDR helped the city develop technical guidelines for the project that outlined the minimum performance standards for the building.

"TGen and the IGC were somewhat difficult to design because they are in the infancy and the specific programming needs weren't there," said SmithGroup project manager Howard Shugar. "We couldn't design for a specific program. We had to design for flexible programming that could be adapted to different uses."

After several designs, architects settled on a cast-in-place concrete frame with glazed curtain walls, mesh screening and horizontal and vertical fins that allow plenty of natural daylighting. The shading limits the amount of direct light into the interiors, instead relying on reflected light that is softer.

One of the major design requirements was the need for open space inside the building. TGen/IGC officials want to encourage as much interaction between the different scientists as possible.

"The concept of an open lab helped out a lot in design flexibility," said Russ Healey, a senior mechanical engineer with SmithGroup. "Everything is built in a modular form so things can be shifted around."

The exterior concrete uses a special white aggregate to give the concrete the color of white marble. Crews from DPR of Phoenix used special plywood forms with an architectural fiberglass form liners to give an ultra smooth finish. Crews offset the form seams so seams wouldn't run in a continuous line. All of the concrete is then caulked and sandblasted. Ceco Concrete of Phoenix provided the shoring and deck for the elevated slabs.

The building sits on a massive mat foundation with 28-in. concrete columns sitting on friction piers drilled 60- ft. below grade. The concrete columns support 14-in.- thick concrete decks, with a generous 14-ft., floor-to-floor height. Still, with the amount of mechanical needs, contractors found the spaces tight.

"With the building being a testing facility with labs, we want to have penetrations for the mechanicals through slabs, and those penetrations needed to be figured out in advance for special reinforcement," said structural engineer Jeannie Pfeiffer of Phoenix-based Paul Kohler Engineers. "Vibration was also an issue because of the research and testing, and the thick concrete floors were the best solution."

Many of the mechanical systems and ducting were fabricated off-site by University Mechanical of Tempe then quickly installed. In just three days, crews installed more than 50,000 lbs. of ductwork and set the boilers in just one day. The building relies on a series of centralized mechanical shafts with strobic fans to eject the building's used air high into the atmosphere.

All of the labs use 100 percent outside air, which goes through an energy recovery system before getting exhausted.

Preplanning and prefabrication, according to University Mechanical's Kenneth Tabbutt were the keys to success on the fast-track job.

"It's paramount to work out a plan before you get in and commit material dollars and labor dollars," Tabbutt said. "Some of the benefits of fabricating the components off- site are that you save logistics and it takes man hours off the site and puts them in the shop, which is a safer working environment."

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