Historic building becomes a research science incubator

Svigals + Partners has recently announced the completion of the New Haven Innovation Labs, an incubator space for startup bioscience research organizations located inside the historic John B. Pierce Laboratory building in New Haven, Conn.

The project redesigned and modernized the facility, including 6,000-sf of flexible research space and offices on the building’s third floor, plus shared amenities on the first floor. The new space provides scientists and staff with refreshed lab facilities and welcoming gathering areas while honoring the building’s historic character.

On the first floor, the design team repurposed underutilized office space to expand and update the break room and conference rooms. Two floors up, the existing layout of a single laboratory space was divided into several smaller research spaces. Ceiling heights were raised in the laboratory areas, exposing the mechanical systems overheard and helping to give the volume an airy feel and an industrial vibe.

The building’s infrastructure was updated with robust rooftop and interior mechanical units to serve all floors, including the third-level laboratories’ sinks and fume hoods. The remaining portion of the floor plate comprises private and shared offices that tenant firms use for administrative work.

The project is also the latest result of an ongoing collaboration with BioCT, aimed at further establishing New Haven as a center of research for life sciences.