Medical College of Georgia, Cancer Research Center

Augusta, GA

Our design for the Cancer Research Center at Augusta University, formerly called the Medical College of Georgia, meets the National Institutes of Health "Center for Cancer Research Excellence" requirements. The 167,000 sf building houses 35 research faculty and 175 associated personnel in flexible open labs that foster interaction. A 25,000 square foot vivarium and BSL-3 laboratories provide support to programs focused on Cancer Immunology/Immunotherapy; Developmental Therapeutics; Molecular Oncology and Cancer Prevention and Control. The facility provides meeting space for seminars and lectures, such as "Research in Progress," which draws an audience from across the campus and community-wide forums on cancer-related topics. The research center is located adjacent to a new outpatient cancer clinic which creates an ideal environment for translational programs aimed at improving treatment outcomes.

The Cancer Research Center's design maximizes natural lighting and reduce heat gain. An extensive sedum green roof lessens the impact of runoff on the city’s water system. Storm water was captured and used by the building’s cooling towers. The building employs a carefully zoned system for air distribution. Supply air "cascades" from office space to laboratories and finally to heat loaded equipment locations to be exhausted. This careful management of air flow results in significant efficiencies that reduce operating costs. Use of enthalpy wheels for energy recovery of general purpose laboratory air reduced cooling tons by 960 tons.