Story

As the only animal disease diagnostic lab in Florida fully accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory plays a critical role in enforcing animal health regulations in the state, as well as protecting the state from animal pests and diseases. Its expansion is a long-time coming, set on land donated by the Bronson family over 50 years ago.

Ajax and AE partner RS&H were selected to expand the dated lab into a cohesive, collaborative, 22,300sf facility that houses $11 million in the latest technologies and includes laboratory space for virology, bacteriology, serology,clinical pathology, and lab equipment. In addition, the team constructed new utilities, parking, and stormwater provisions for the expanded site.

While the inner workings of any building can be complex,laboratories require especially stringent systems, standards, and execution to preserve the integrity of their research. The building is divided by function, every piece of mechanical equipment had its own sequence of operation during construction, and each lab has its own plumbing system with a high-purity water system. The lab areas, and indeed the building itself, were designed and built for flexibility. Each laboratory has fixed and movable casework, and ceiling-mounted utility panels allow each lab to reconfigure as their workflow requires. The labs also feature a number of different workstation configurations, and the building itself was constructed to allow for further expansion. 

As a public building, both the design and construction team were sensitive to our client’s budget. The project used tilt-wall construction,  and the design included metal louvered sunscreens to provide maximum shading and keep HVAC costs lower. The project also included reconstructing a retention pond on site that is used functionally for stormwater detention and as an amenity for staff.

This lab has long been an important fixture to Florida’s agricultural and science communities. The lab is more than just veterinary diagnostics; they also research high-consequence animal diseases like African swine fever and Zika virus and work closely with the health department to better public safety. The facility sits on land donated in 1958 by the Bronson family. Irlo Bronson, a state senator at the time, had a vision for the animal industry and a facility for this very purpose—and this project has brought that vision to life.