Research Facility Design: Innovation Development Center

Expanding Innovation: Engineering for a Global Healthcare Leader’s R&D Campus

As a leading science and technology engineering firm, BSA partnered with a confidential, global healthcare client to provide MEP services for a groundbreaking research and development (R&D) facility in Indianapolis. This project marks the first phase in the expansion of the client’s R&D complex and reflects a transformative shift in how healthcare research environments are designed. Specifically, the space focuses on collaboration, adaptability, and speed-to-market for new therapies. The new building is part of the continued growth of its Indianapolis footprint and is the first full-scale facility that utilizes an entirely open approach.

Collaborative Design with Integrated Delivery

The client utilized an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model early in the research facility design process. Two core features of this process included:

1. The assembly of the complete design and construction team early in the design process.
2. Frequent meetings with the multidisciplinary team.

Frequent collaboration among stakeholders ensured that all aspects of the building—from layout to lab technology—intentionally aligned to support the client’s mission of innovation.

Energy-Efficient and Flexible Lab Environments

The overall goal of the new space boiled down to co-locating previously separated groups into one unified research campus. Once together, greater emphases collaboration, innovation, and speed-to-market became possible. The key to success was the creation of flexible laboratories, capable of adapting as research and technology needs evolve.

The 130,000 SF L-shaped building connects flexible laboratory spaces with open office zones, creating a hub for creative exchange. The labs, located at the north and west wings, join at the “knuckle” with the office and hub spaces, thus connecting the building to the rest of the campus.

The design also included implementing innovative spins on the classic fume hood. Unlike conventional labs where each researcher has a dedicated hood, this facility’s design assumes only 50% usage at a time. Hoods are shared, allocated by project needs—minimizing energy use and lowering operational costs.

The laboratory environments are designed to be agile, flexible, adaptable, and transparent. Similarly, BSA engineers deployed MEP building solutions with preassembled ceiling modules and utility grids that enable quick reconfiguration. Mobile instrument cards assist with easy change and reconfiguration of lab workspace. Glass walls between lab and non-lab spaces allow for visual transparency and echoes the vision of “Science on Display.”

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