DSM Biomedical – Innovation Center
Precis provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering design services for a 2,500-sf interior renovation to the existing DSM Biomedical facility in Exton, Pennsylvania. DSM is a global leader in the development of next-generation biomedical materials.
The renovation included the addition of a new Innovation Center, which serves as a common space for internal teams to meet and collaborate on developing new business by identifying new and innovative growth technologies, and to showcase DSM products to prospective clients.
Images © Don Pearse Photographers, Inc.
Hankin Group – Speculative Lab Building
Precis provided architecture and engineering master planning services to Hankin Group, a family-owned real estate development firm, for a three-story, multi-tenant speculative laboratory building for multiple life science tenants involved in the drug discovery process from laboratory-based research through early stage (pilot scale) manufacturing.
The building will be located on a prominent site at the entrance to Eagleview, a mixed-use development community,
located in the Philadelphia suburb of Exton, Pennsylvania.
Single- and multi-tenant concept layouts were developed for general research, gene and cell therapy, therapeutics, and contract research organizations. The building’s floor plate accommodates requirements for physical segregation, chain of custody, and biosafety level (BSL) segregation of suites, waste streams, and product flows.
The proposed site totals ~17.8 acres. Grading allows for basement level access on the building’s south side. Floor plates, excluding the basement, range from 40,000 to 43,500 sf each.
Eisai Co., Ltd. – Pilot Plant
Eisai Co., Ltd. (formerly Morphotek) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on research and development for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. The award-winning building was designed for the production of biologics to support early-stage clinical trials. The project involved master planning, architecture, and engineering design services for the 60,000-sf cGMP pilot plant to support manufacturing of advanced therapeutics. The use of BIM software enabled advanced coordination, team communication, and project organization.
The project began with demolition of three existing buildings and construction of the new facility, which includes the pilot plant, laboratories, and office space. Integrated architecture and engineering yielded a facility that marries form and function. A unidirectional circulation and viewing corridor maximizes building area dedicated to production. A mechanical catwalk rings the production core and provides access to all building systems for ventilation and maintenance. Dual fixed and disposable technology offer flexibility in manufacturing. Natural light permeates most of the building, including office and laboratory areas. The building offers 85.2 percent efficiency, with full systems redundancy, and enables complete segregation of production spaces in the event of a failure or contamination.
Sustainable design and operational features of the project resulted in LEED Gold Certification, and the project was recognized as an ISPE Facility of the Year Sustainability Category winner. The plant is 30 percent more water efficient, 33.2 percent more energy efficient, and offers a 90 percent more efficient HVAC system compared to a standard pharmaceutical facility. A rooftop solar array includes 330 photovoltaic panels that generate enough annual electricity to power six U.S. houses for a year.
The award-winning project was completed $3 million under budget in 18 months.
Images © Don Pearse Photographers, Inc.
Trevena, Inc. – Interior Design Fit-Out
Precis supported clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, Trevena, Inc., with an office relocation and expansion in an existing building. Trevena wanted an open floor plan with high ceilings to maximize natural daylighting for the growing company.
The existing second floor was made up of two separate areas connected by a narrow passage around the central building core. The new plan’s design utilized a bright and colorful curved wall to pull the two separated areas together. The larger of the two areas contains conference spaces, collaboration areas, and open and private offices. The area to the eastern side of the building also contains open and private offices, small conference and collaboration areas, and a new breakroom, large enough to hold company-wide town-hall sized gatherings. The new space features a small coffee bar/work café along the central curved circulation spine that connects the two sides of the office. Other highlights include painted white ceilings, innovative lighting design concepts, and exposed structural and mechanical systems. Innovative technology and user-friendly seating plans help lure employees out of their workstations and offer more stimulating work environments.
Images © Don Pearse Photographers, Inc.
Terumo Medical Corporation – Break Room and Cafeteria Expansion
Precis provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection (MEP/FP) engineering support for a 6,000-sf building addition for Terumo Medical Corporation, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of medical devices and supplies.
The addition includes a large corporate cafeteria/break room, board room, and new employee entrance and lobby. The renovations included a large cafeteria capable of holding all-hands meetings and fit-out for a relocated laboratory. Mechanical upgrades included a new packaged direct, gas-fired, variable volume multi-zone air handling system and associated airflow distribution; comprehensive air balancing; new reheat coils throughout; new finned-tube radiation system for improvement of thermal comfort; and building automation upgrades.
McHugh Engineering Associates – Adaptive Reuse Renovation
Utilizing an existing warehouse shell, the adaptive reuse design for McHugh Engineering Associates turned a blighted neighborhood eyesore into an innovative new office space. The celebration of the industrial space is evident in the exposed metal-truss-supported timber ceiling, exposed concrete floors, and recycled sliding barn doors. The open layout within the former warehouse connects to a new boardroom addition by a vibrantly colored feature wall. This connector welcomes employees and visitors through the new entry and guides them through the interior. Creative reuse of existing materials evokes the building’s industrial past.
The project included private and open offices for 20 employees, a boardroom, and an employee lounge on the interior and two off-street parking courts, a front porch, and an outdoor patio. The project was designed to achieve LEED Silver certification.
Images © Don Pearse Photographers, Inc.
J.M. Huber Corporation – Miller Chemical Innovation Center
Precis provided architecture and full engineering services along with civil and structural engineering consultants to create a new state-of-the-art innovation center for J.M. Huber, a provider of industrial and consumer products.
The new, ground-up construction is the first phase of a master planning effort that involved a holistic campus concept redesign. The Miller Chemical Innovation Center will be home to three new research and development laboratories with innovative technology and equipment for the company’s fertilizer manufacturing business. In addition to labs, the center includes offices and conference rooms, an open kitchen and break area, soft seating and display areas for client interaction and company collaboration, a 1,150-sf greenhouse adjacent to an open working wet lab, and outdoor layout areas and workspaces. The building has a number of sustainable building elements such as natural daylighting, energy efficient fixtures and equipment, rain harvesting for plant irrigation, and a small green roof area. It also utilizes a number of green building products on the interior and exterior, including products manufactured by J.M. Huber.
Dow Chemical Company – Headquarters Relocation
This project relocated Dow Chemical Company’s Center City, Philadelphia, headquarters to the company’s Collegeville campus. The existing five-story, approximately 126,000-sf office building was renovated to maintain as much of the existing interior layout and infrastructure as possible. A primary design goal was the removal of perimeter offices to bring more natural daylight into the building interior. The renovations included complete finish and furniture replacements.
The program included interior renovations to the first through fifth floors, including all related structural and mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection (MEP/FP) engineering services. Mechanical upgrades included airflow re-distribution, comprehensive air balancing, new reheat coils throughout, and modification to the finned-tube radiation system for improvement of thermal comfort.
Renovated and enhanced spaces included new huddle rooms, video-conferencing areas, open collaboration spaces, a new health services suite, a video recording studio and editing suite, a customer innovation and presentation center, a large training and assembly space, a conference center, executive conference rooms and offices, expanded and renovated break rooms, and a kitchenette.
Subbio Medical Spa – Expansion + Renovation
Subbio Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa underwent a transformation and expansion into an adjacent 5,000-sf building, featuring a full interior and exterior renovation. Precis provided comprehensive architectural planning and design of the new space. The vision behind the project was to create a bold, modern presence along the busy roadway, making the medical spa an eye-catching landmark while enhancing the client experience within. The project is more than a renovation – it’s a reimagining of the client experience, blending luxury, innovation, and artistry in one exceptional environment.
The one-story structure underwent complete modernization with a full recladding, complemented by the addition of new windows that flood the interior with natural daylight. The dramatic changes revitalized the building’s façade and redefined its identity with a statement of contemporary elegance and sophistication.
Seamlessly integrated with the existing medical facility, the new interior space is designed to feel open, bright and inviting. A reception area welcomes guests with an open layout that allows natural light to flow from multiple directions, enhancing the sense of warmth and tranquility. The design strikes a balance between modern elegance and inviting comfort, incorporating rich wood tones in custom wood slat-wall designs, contrasting with cooler gray hues in a custom poured-epoxy floor and bright white walls. Beyond its function as a state-of-the-art medical spa, the space is an artistic expression of Dr. Subbio – a renowned plastic surgeon in the Philadelphia area and a talented artist. The corridor walls leading to the treatment rooms are painted bright white and designed as a gallery space, featuring track lighting to showcase future custom artwork created by Dr. Subbio. This personal touch brings a unique dimension to the spa, transforming it into both a wellness sanctuary and a creative exhibition.
The expanded medical spa includes three new treatment rooms, three Botox rooms, a massage and facial room, a hyperbaric chamber, and a LED light therapy room. The spa also gained an additional large office area with private offices, open workstations, and a training room for live presentations and webinars.
Lannett Company – Office Fit-Out
Precis provided design services for an existing office building renovation into a new corporate headquarters for Lannett Company, a growing general pharmaceutical manufacturing company.
The new space included renovations on two floors, reusing the majority of open office furniture that existed, while supplementing with new furniture and finishes. New private offices and conference rooms were added, and new collaboration areas with soft seating and new lighting and technology were introduced.
The highlight feature of the new headquarters is an open multipurpose breakroom/think tank space centrally located to the surrounding office area and designed to facilitate various program functions throughout the day. It is the heartbeat of the office. In addition, the reception/lobby area is designed to be like a small business and innovation center with conference rooms, soft seating workspaces, and a customer experience product showcase area.
