Reimagined Spaces, Realized Potential | P2S
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Reimagined Spaces,
Realized Potential

The Salk Institute
Grow Room

Renowned for cutting-edge research in biological sciences, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies has several spaces where P2S provides engineering support as part of the Harnessing Plant Initiative (HPI), which is not only studying the effects of climate change on agriculture but also developing crops that will store vast amounts of carbon in their roots, thus developing “ideal plants” with roots that grow deep, thick and rich in sugar. In one of the spaces, the Salk team sought to retrofit an existing office space within a lab building to house several Conviron MTPS walk-in grow chambers. These high-performance units, essential for climate-adaptive crop research, demanded specialized HVAC, electrical, and utility infrastructure upgrades.

Investigation: During the investigation phase, the P2S team evaluated whether the building’s existing MEP systems could support the added load and confirmed the chambers’ fit within the structural beam bays—no small feat given some units had been ordered prior to design finalization. Multiple site visits, including a post-demolition walkthrough, were conducted to assess ceiling space and utility routing. A major hurdle emerged when it became clear that existing exhaust infrastructure could not accommodate the new load. Our solution: design a dedicated exhaust system with a new rooftop fan, developed in close coordination with structural engineers to preserve the building’s historic architecture.

Implementation: Implementation involved upgrading supply air to manage heat loads, providing utilities like DI water, compressed air, and chilled water, and designing a new exhaust system for the desiccant dryer. A key constraint was vertical clearance—solved by relocating water-cooled compressors from atop the chambers to a remote rack.

Verification: Following thorough verification of system performance, the retrofit met all functional requirements. Now, the lab enables high-precision control of environmental variables, supporting vital research in photosynthetic efficiency and drought tolerance—advancing sustainable agriculture for a changing climate.

Food & Drug Administration
Pacific Northwest Lab

Built in the early 1980s, this active yet aging lab required targeted upgrades to enhance efficiency and continue its vital role in food safety inspections. The facility analyzes fish, agriculture, and other products for a wide range of contaminants and bacteria.

Investigation: Following a retro-commissioning assessment, P2S conducted a detailed site investigation to verify "As-Built" conditions. This ensured that system modifications aligned with the lab’s evolving mission and that bid documents were comprehensive and clear. Many existing systems presented accessibility challenges due to their complexity and previous renovations.

Implementation: The project focused on three key upgrades: freezers, laboratory spaces, and the pure water system. While the freezer and lab enhancements proceeded smoothly, the pure water system posed unique challenges. As a critical component with stringent FDA requirements, it required multiple refinements to meet final compliance and performance standards.

A significant transformation involved the microscope room, which had originally been built as a storage area in 1999 before being converted into a lab space in 2023/24. P2S played an integral role in this lab’s evolution for over 25 years.

Verification: The project received positive reviews from both the FDA and the General Services Administration (GSA)—a rare and notable achievement given the stringent expectations of both agencies.

UC Irvine
Hewitt Hall

UCI Hewitt Hall is a state-of-the-art cGMP Lab Facility, advancing biopharmaceutical research and manufacturing. Focused on gene and cell therapy, biologics, and clinical-grade drug development, the facility supports groundbreaking treatments for cancer, genetic disorders, and infectious diseases. This adaptive reuse project maximizes existing space to meet strict regulatory standards, allowing life-saving innovations to move from research to clinical trials and beyond.

Investigation: The primary focus of the campus was ensuring compliance with strict FDA cGMP guidelines while maximizing the use of the existing space. A major challenge was the low ceiling height, which required careful coordination to fit essential mechanical and HVAC systems within the confined catwalk area. These systems were critical for maintaining cleanroom conditions, meaning they had to be seamlessly integrated without compromising airflow, functionality, or accessibility for maintenance. To overcome these constraints, the team developed innovative design solutions, optimizing equipment layout to ensure efficient operation while preserving the lab’s performance and regulatory compliance.

Implementation: As the MEP engineers and prime designers for the facility, a design-build approach was in place which allowed collaboration with the contractor early to tackle design and construction challenges. Our work included designing MEP systems, as well as the specialized cleanroom environment required for cGMP compliance. The challenge of fitting critical HVAC and mechanical systems into the low-ceiling spaces, which we solved using Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D modeling to optimize layout, detect clashes, and ensure seamless system integration. Close coordination with the contractor ensured construction efficiency, keeping the project on schedule and meeting all performance and regulatory requirements.

Verification: UCI is highly satisfied with the Hewitt Hall cGMP Lab Facility, as it represents the university’s first cGMP-certified facility—a major milestone in expanding its pharmaceutical research and production capabilities. The lab successfully passed all cGMP certifications and inspections, ensuring compliance for manufacturing clinical-grade materials. UCI praised the project for setting a new benchmark for future facilities and highlighted seamless collaboration throughout the design-build process, which kept the project on track and aligned with its goals.

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