- Project Facts
- Client: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Program: Laboratory, Classroom, & Office Renovations for the Department of Biological Engineering
- Completed: 2008
- Square Feet: 1500
- Project Team: Karen Moore, Cindy Munch
The Department of Biological Engineering was founded in 1998 as a new MIT academic unit, with the mission of defining and establishing a new discipline fusing molecular life sciences with engineering. The goal of biological engineering is to advance fundamental understanding of how biological systems operate and to develop effective biology-based technologies for applications across a wide spectrum of societal needs including breakthroughs in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, in design of novel materials, devices, and processes, and in enhancing environmental health.
This relatively new and fast-growing department at MIT needed to expand its teaching and research space and provide new office space. When space on several floors of two science buildings at MIT became available, IKM designed teaching laboratories, research laboratories, and new office suites for the department headquarters and administration.
During construction which was spread throughout six floors of two buildings, adjacent lab and classroom spaces were able to maintain continuous operation without disruption.
“You and your colleagues have done a superb job of planning and designing our laboratories and offices. Every aspect of this project has been well-thought-out and documented, from the largest to the smallest facets. I’d love to work with you again at the next opportunity”.
Douglas Lauffenburger, Professor and Head MIT Department of Biological Engineering
