Military Salutes New Toxicology Lab

Burgess & Niple and partner Messer Construction Company, were recently recognized for the new Toxicology Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

The team received an “Outstanding” overall rating from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for this $13 million design/build project and a Merit Award from the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) for the new lab’s interior design.

In the project performance evaluation, the Corps said, “Burgess & Niple made substantial improvements (to the Corps’ preliminary design) resulting in an exceptionally satisfied user and customer.” The evaluation also recognized B&N project manager Joe Brink, AIA, Cincinnati office, for his exemplary work on this project.

The facility owner, the U.S. Air Force, offered high praise for this project.

“The new Toxicology Lab is an attractive, award winning and significant addition to the R&D (research and development) community and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,” said Randy Parker, Deputy Director of the base Civil Engineering Directorate.

Opened in the fall of 2003, the new two-story building and renovated laboratory offers 45,000 gross-square-feet of research, laboratory, office and conferences spaces, all designed to stimulate intellectual investigation.

The facility has office space for approximately 120 people and 30 different laboratories including biochemical/chemical analysis facilities, as well as molecular biology, reproductive, DNA and neurobehavioral laboratories. Laboratories were designed as modular and flexible spaces so they can be reconfigured as necessary to accommodate evolving research and instrumentation needs.

The use of light was a key factor in the design on this facility. Because the previous laboratories had few windows, users requested that natural light be included in the design. As a result, numerous windows and skylights were incorporated. Even interior offices and conference rooms are bathed with reflected light captured by interior glazing.

For more information on B&N’s federal project experience, contact Ken Cristofani, Federal Business Development Director, in the Columbus office at 614-459-2050.

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