Integrated Planning Marketplace

Firm Description

Services and or disciplines offered:
Research Facilities Design is a firm of laboratory design consultants focused exclusively on the programming and design of laboratory buildings for industry, healthcare, research and education. Since 1984 the firm has provided laboratory design services for more than one thousand projects in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Malaysia, Kuwait, and Egypt.

Our staff of thirty-three is 100% committed to the achievement of client satisfaction and design excellence for laboratory building design and construction. We are a "Hands-on" organization, characterized by extensive Principal involvement from the inception of design through the construction process. Research Facilities Design analyzes each project to determine the most appropriate individuals within our organization to provide management, design and technical support services to best meet the needs of our clients.

Description of firm’s integrated planning expertise and experience:
From the initial project kick-off meeting, where the planning process is extensively discussed, through the completion of construction, RFD remains an integral part of the project team.

RFD works closely with the client and architect through interviews with researchers, administrative staff and planning staff to determine specific design requirements for each space. Utilizing customized questionnaire forms, room data sheets and equipment lists, each space is thoroughly reviewed with the appropriate representatives to define the size, optimum configuration, security, plumbing, electrical, and environmental parameters necessary for the spaces to properly function.

During the Design Phase, we work with the architect and engineer to resolve laboratory related design issues. In addition, we produce detailed design development drawings based on our interviews with the researchers, administrators and planning staff personnel. The laboratory related design criteria for the building systems are determined and recommendations are made to allow the design team to proceed efficiently.

During Construction RFD works with the design team to review Contractors RFI’s, provide clarification for laboratory related design issues, and review shop drawings and submittals for laboratory furnishings and equipment. We also perform construction site visits to observe the progress of the laboratory installation and to prepare punch-list reports of deficiencies requiring correction or completion by the Contractor. In this manner, RFD helps ensure that the completed project meets the intended design goals and provides valuable feedback for application on our future projects.

Relevant project experience includes:

• Jordan Hall of Science / University of Notre Dame
• Nora and Hashem Naraghi Hall of Science / Cal State University, Stanislaus
• Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences / Grand Valley State University
• Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Hall, Center for Nano-Fabrication and Molecular Self-Assembly / Northwestern University
• Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies Bldg / Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Johnson Hall of Science / St. Lawrence University
• Stanley Quantitative Biosciences and Bioengineering Facility / University of California, Berkeley
• Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center / University of Missouri, Columbia
• Bioengineering Building / University of Washington
• Science Center Phase 2 / Grinnell College

Building Types

Teaching and research laboratories for college and universities include the following disciplines:
Biomedical
Biology
Chemistry
Geology
Environmental
Agriculture
Animal/Vivarium
Marine
Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutical
Engineering
Nanotechnology
Physics
Allied Health

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