Walsh Brothers, Inc. with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) representatives, staff, researchers and designer, Miller Dyer Spears took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the unveiling of DFCI's $8.4 million fourth floor chemistry and biology research fit-out.
The 10,200 s/f research fit-out represents the final step in the multi-phased gut renovation of the 1930s building, located in the Boston Marine Industrial Park (BMIP) on Drydock Ave. The relocation of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's critical research activities out of the congested LMA to the BMIP has been underway since 2005, the entire 45,000 s/f complex renovation has been overseen by DFCI's trusted construction partner, Walsh Bros. The harbor campus location affords researchers cutting edge research space, equipment, and technology. Additionally, the Harbor campus frees up space in the congested LMA for critical patient care.
Walsh Bros. began the renovation of the 4th floor of the harbor campus in May of 2006 which housed: medical records, cancer registration offices, cryogenic tissue repository, and a materials management center. After completing the Lurie Family Imaging Center on the first floor of the harbor campus in 2009 Walsh Bros. turned its attention back to the fourth floor to begin cancer research wet and dry laboratories which will serve as home to some of the brightest minds of cancer research. The laboratory features over 30 flexible lab benches, liquid nitrogen freezers, cancer bioscope, bottle washing station, DNA sequencing machines, robotics, MOTT fume hoods, autoclave, closed histology lab, BL-2 tissue lab, and a chemical waste room.
The laboratory's mission is to make advances in cancer research with the use of proteomics and genomics; such research requires highly sophisticated equipment and equally sophisticated utilities including the use of an air handling unit which moves 100 tons of air per hour. Walsh Bros. worked closely with the researchers to outfit the customized laboratories which would meet their research needs by incorporating natural gas into lab benches, specialized epoxy flooring that can handle exposure to liquid nitrogen, specialized emergency sensors, sound absorbing panels, and K-13 acoustical insulation spray. Additionally, Walsh Brothers customized an interior window system that maximized the energy efficiency of the space without compromising the 1930s windows. The renovation took place above an active tenant so communication, expert scheduling of operations and equipment deliveries was critical. The project was completed on schedule and on budget.