Schering-Plough Corporation

"Building a World-Class Laboratory"

How can a quality control lab meet sophisticated technical requirements and provide a stimulating work environment at the lowest possible cost — and under the demands of a fast-track schedule?

Those were MWH’s goals for a design-build project for the leading pharmaceutical manufacturer Schering-Plough Corporation. The result is a 63,000-square-foot Quality Control Laboratory that serves as a work place for 140 chemists and microbiologists.

The facility — which has a microbiology lab with a class 10,000 clean room — was awarded third place in R&D Magazine's "Outstanding Laboratory of the Year" competition.

Wide Range of Services

On the US $ 15 million project, MWH provided programming, design, construction documents and construction phase services. Working closely with Schering-Plough management and scientists, the team designed a facility with three distinct interior environments. These include:

• The Laboratory
• The Office
• The Service Environment

The Laboratory

The laboratory is the brightest, most visible area. To allow for interaction and flexibility, lab spaces were left open and contiguous. Depending on current needs, the modular space can be reconfigured and reassigned in various ways. Fume hoods were placed along the service corridor wall to provide uninterrupted openness and visibility throughout the labs.

Mechanical and plumbing systems were also designed on a modular basis. The services are available on a 22-foot module, which extends into the laboratories from the central service corridor. This corridor provides easy access to all utilities for maintenance and systems modifications.

The Office

In contrast, the office environment is visually "quieter." Warmer colors were used to create an atmosphere conducive to computer work and quiet colleague discussions. Lights are subdued, in part due to the area's darker toned carpeting and ceiling tiles. Formal meetings can be held in acoustically private conference rooms. Each floor has a space for informal, more relaxed meetings.

The Service Environment

The service area supports the laboratories on each side. It's a bright, clean, efficient space with easy access to lines overhead that support the lab functions. Wing walls were left partial height to define circulation space and provide convenient alcoves for support equipment.