McCarthy Lab Renovation Project includes Unique Equipment for Washington University in St. Louis

St. Louis, Mo. — McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. served as construction manager for a research laboratory fit-out project recently completed at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. McCarthy worked with Washington University to finish the interior and install specialized equipment in an existing 15,000-square-foot space in Rudolph Hall on the Danforth Campus. The new space is the home of the Institute of Materials Science & Engineering, established in July 2013 to foster a culture of interdisciplinary materials science research and education at the university.

Washington University, with McCarthy’s assistance, installed a new, $3-million, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer, one of only three in the world, for one of the seven laboratory spaces created for the Institute. IMSE has also moved two Transmission Electron Microscopes into the new space from other locations on campus. Planning and funding for programs and instruments for the remaining laboratory spaces is in progress.

“This project required careful coordination to minimize disruption of existing adjacent laboratory and classroom functions, as well as connecting new mechanical and laboratory systems into the existing building systems. We were also working between an operating seismic research lab and a clean room lab,” said McCarthy Project Director Mark Smith. McCarthy used Building Information Modeling to coordinate new construction with the existing structure and utilities.

“These instruments are affected by Electromagnetic Interference, and require EMI Shielding to protect the instrument,” said McCarthy Project Superintendent Dustin Roberts. “Each instrument has its own unique temperature and humidity requirements, which required precise HVAC systems, controls and extensive systems commissioning and testing.”

Photos courtesy of Mstudio West.