As part of its ongoing development, Hamilton’s McMaster Innovation Park will establish an advanced centre for innovation in life sciences, medicine and engineering. The Fraunhofer Project Centre for Biomedical Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing (BEAM) will develop novel cell manufacturing systems related to cell therapy and immunology.
Diamond Schmitt will renovate and equip 20,000 square feet within the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre (MARC) to accommodate office, research and manufacturing facilities. An extra 20,000 square feet located on the second floor will be used for laboratory and office use. The project is a partnership between McMaster University and Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI of Germany.
According to Navdeep Bains, Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, the federal government will contribute $12 million towards the $33 million facility, which will be used to develop technologies for eye care, point-of-care medical devices and cancer treatments.
The facility’s Containment Level 2 Laboratory Zones were planned and laid out using a modular approach. Open concept island benches with top down servicing will provide the maximum amount of useable floor space for equipment and benching while at the same time providing a safe distance between facing work areas for circulation.
The showroom’s interior design will allow reconfiguration to showcase the development of products, devices and tools. It will feature sliding operable panels to create one large space or subdivide into smaller meeting rooms.
“The new facilities will ensure BEAM scientists have the infrastructure required to move their research on biomaterials, diagnostics and cell therapies into market-ready technologies,” said Frank Emmrick, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, in a press release.
As with the rest of McMaster Innovation Park, this facility will be designed to achieve a minimum of LEED Silver. The design of the building incorporates several sustainable design initiatives, such as construction using non-toxic products, green construction measures, indoor air quality, recycled content, efficient lighting, reduced water usage and daylight views.
CanmetMATERIALS, a research centre used to fabricate, process and evaluate metals and materials, is located adjacent to BEAM. This facility was also designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects and has achieved LEED Platinum certification.
