Story

Located in Rockville, MD, the Research Square Labs project has transformed two underutilized office buildings into state-of-the-art life science facilities. This innovative repositioning addresses both the scarcity of available lab space and the abundance of outdated office spaces. It is strategically situated along I-270, a prime location near some of the country’s most prominent life science institutions. Originally constructed in the 1980s, the buildings at 1500 and 1550 Research Blvd have undergone significant architectural and interior upgrades, enhancing their design and performance capabilities. These renovations have created modern structures with unlimited potential to spark scientific discovery. The buildings can host one or more bioscience tenants, benefiting from shared hospitality-infused amenity spaces. The façade was strategically modified while keeping the original structure intact. Interior spaces were gutted and made lab-ready with new MEP systems and spray fireproofing, allowing for flexible lab locations and control areas. Perimeter windows and adjacent collaborative seating areas provide abundant sunlight, while contemporary exterior improvements, including dark paint, new canopies, and lush landscaping, create a modern and inviting entrance. The new modular labs were designed to trophy-class standards, offering the highest quality and precision. Each lab features automated and individual controls for LED lighting and HVAC systems, ensuring optimal comfort and efficiency. These laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art casework, BioSafety Level 2 (BSL2) cabinets, fume hoods, resilient flooring, highly durable and cleanable surfaces, support spaces, and emergency backup power. The modern, sterile laboratory environments are enhanced with oak wood ceiling grids and decorative vertical slats, adding warmth and texture. Airy white laboratories and transparent glass office suite entrances are complemented by a colorful, richly saturated bespoke artwork mural that travels the core of the first floor, creating an energetic employee destination. The project is distinctive for its strategy in planning the sizes of the spec suites, seamlessly enabling future flexibility for tenants of all sizes. Adaptive reuse, cost-effectiveness, and upgraded amenities drove a workplace-to-life science and laboratory conversion that attracts businesses to long-term Class A leases. The two spec spaces on the second floor are larger and currently fit out for two tenants but can be connected for one. There is a drywall partition, but the layout is configured so that minimal modifications would be required if the walls were removed between the suites. A comprehensive refresh of the exterior, interior, and MEP systems has significantly improved natural and artificial lighting, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality. An outdoor seating area was a top priority for scientists who prefer to take breaks outside after intense indoor laboratory concentration. The design locates collaborative seating along the windows for natural light and connectivity to the outdoor and indoor seating areas, with porcelain tile transitioning to a composite wood deck. The repositioning of Research Square complies with the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) requirements for sustainability.