by Matthew Guarracino
Matthew Guarracino
The commonwealth’s life sciences industry is a major economic driver in the state, employing more than 95,000 people, according to the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC). The MLSC also notes that all of the world’s top 10 biopharmaceutical firms maintain facilities here, along with more than 500 other biopharma companies and 400 medical device makers. With the large cluster of life sciences companies in Massachusetts, so comes the need for state-of-the-art buildings, facilities, and lab space. From Cambridge to Boston’s Seaport district, this has helped drive the construction boom to meet the needs of the state’s life sciences sector.
To comply with the clinical, research, and regulatory requirements of life science companies, these new buildings must feature the most state-of-the art energy and building management systems. As energy reliability is essential for operating research labs smoothly without costly disruptions, these facilities also require innovative technology to handle their complicated energy, HVAC, and processing needs. In addition, the building owners and tenants of these facilities want systems that are energy-efficient to control costs without sacrificing reliability.
Recently, we completed work on a mixed-use waterfront development in Boston’s Seaport district that required automated control systems throughout the entire 1.1 million sf pharmaceutical facility. Our project team worked within a diligent schedule that involved work in a variety of spaces on the campus including, parking facilities, office levels, and critical biomedical research and laboratory spaces.
Life sciences facility
In an effort to reduce energy demand and consumption while simultaneously guaranteeing reliable energy delivery for power, heat, and water, we installed a sophisticated building automation system throughout the facility. Given the vivarium spaces housed within this facility, airflow is extremely important, and we are able to monitor it throughout the building.
In addition to completing the project on time and on budget, the cutting-edge facility was designed to save money and reduce annual energy use. To achieve the desired energy savings within a building such as those serving today’s life sciences industry, it’s essential to ensure that every building subsystem, from heating to security, works together as a cohesive unit. By aggregating these systems, the result is a better performing and more intelligent building.
Today’s advanced building systems serving the needs of the growing life sciences industry here in Massachusetts are amazingly sophisticated, but it takes a wide range of skills and knowledge to ensure that all the systems work seamlessly and reliably. When these energy management systems are done correctly, the end result will save money and energy while providing a better work experience for all occupants.
Matthew P. Guarracino is business development manager for J.M. Electrical Company, Inc.
