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Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
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Syska Hennessy Group has provided consulting engineering services
for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for the past 25 years.
RICHARD A. AND SUSAN F. SMITH RESEARCH LABORATORIES
In recent years the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has gone through
an extraordinary period of expansion in cancer research, resulting
in a lack of space to house their increasing needs. As a result
Dana-Farber took the initiative to have a new 400,000 sq. ft. building
constructed to accommodate this growth. Syska Hennessy Group was
brought in, as part of the project team, to assess the utility requirements
of the new facility.
Dana-Farber's power, chilled water and steam were provided by a
central utility plant controlled and operated by nearby Harvard
Medical School. During our assessment of the plant we discovered
it was running at near peak capacity, making it impossible to provide
utilities to the new tower. Working jointly with Dana-Farber, we
presented a plan to the central facility proposing a new "satellite"
plant to be built at the bottom of a seven-level underground parking
garage located beneath the new tower and would effectively supply
4500 tons of new power, of which Dana-Farber only required 2000
tons. In order to make the proposal attractive, we explained to
the central facility that they could sell the additional 2500 tons
to the community. The idea generated interest and they approved
the plan. Because the central facility was gaining a monetary benefit
from this plan, Dana-Farber was able to secure reduced energy rates
and thus lower their life cycle costs.
A key element of the building's design was the need for modularity.
Dana-Farber is regularly introducing new programs in addition to
leasing facilities to scientists who have received research grants
but lack the resources to carry out their projects. The Syska Hennessy
Group project team developed a modular system that breaks down large
spaces into one, two or three bay laboratories with minimal change.
With some minor adjustments a new research space can be created
without major electrical modifications or rebalancing of the air
systems. Based on a previous installation in Dana-Farber's Mayer
Building, this enhanced design incorporated improved lighting systems,
better controls and mechanical systems.
In addition to modularity concerns, some programs required us to
develop strict environmental systems. For example the animal containment
area, occupying two floors of the building, required the installation
of a unique desiccant dehumidification system and containment systems
that utilize air pressurization and interlocks to meet the requirements
of Bio Safety Level 3 standards.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
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Essential to the crystallography lab was the requirement to strictly
maintain a relative humidity of 26% in order to allow effective
experimentation. Syska Hennessy Group collaborated with the architect
to develop a system that would allow this humidity level to be effectively
maintained.
This new research facility has successfully provided Dana Farber
with the room they needed to grow and the flexibility to dictate
how that growth will occur. Through our past experience with Dana-
Farber and a solid understanding of their needs, we were able to
provide state-of-the-art design solutions for this project that
have set new standards for the engineering community.
DANA BUILDING
Syska Hennessy Group has been involved in the renovation of over
60,000 sq. ft. of this existing biomedical facility which included
the following laboratory areas: blood bank; adult & pediatric clinic;
infusion space; respiratory therapy clinic; hypothermia; and simulator
replacement. Medical areas include histology, hematology, cryogenic,
microbiology, virology, and gene therapy. Some of these labs hold
a BL-2/BL-3 classification. We have also upgraded the potable and
non-potable water system, laboratory waste neutralization system,
medical compressed air and vacuum systems. Also involved in the
renovation of the dining facility.
LEWIS B. MAYER BUILDING
Design of a 124,000 sq. ft., 10-level biomedical research facility
with advanced cancer research laboratories, animal facilities, and
clean rooms. All engineering systems were designed to allow for
future flexibility.
JIMMY FUND BUILDING
Renovation to convert 100,000 sq. ft. of an existing research laboratory
to an advanced cancer research facility. One floor was designed
to contain 5,600 sq. ft. of level BL-3 bio-hazardous cancer research
laboratories. We were also responsible for the upgrade of electric
service.
REDSTONE BUILDING
Renovation of a 20,000 sq. ft. stand alone animal holding facility.
Syska Hennessy Group was responsible for the design of replacement
HVAC systems. The new systems included high efficiency HEPA filters,
humidification control, new electric service and BL-3 area.
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