Featured Project University of North Carolina (UNC) Lineberger Advanced Cellular Therapy Facility Durham, North Carolina Scroll To Back Scroll Intro By the Numbers Vision Elements Experience Testimonial Challenges Results Team Members News More Occupied cGMP cleanroom expansion Located inside a two-story occupied building, this active cleanroom expansion features a new utility yard. Location Durham, North Carolina Key Partners Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company Development & Construction Insights Newcomb & Boyd Client University of North Carolina (UNC) Health Project Type Life Sciences Higher Education Tenant Fit-Outs By the Numbers By the Numbers By the Numbers By the Numbers By the Numbers $5,200,000 VALUE 35 weeks SCHEDULE 12,300 SQUARE FEET 2021 YEAR COMPLETED 23,000 LBS OF DUCTWORK Vision Vision Vision Vision Vision As part of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, this space provides UNC staff with an ISO 7 environment to support cellular therapy clinical trials. Client Goals Established in 2015, the Advanced Cellular Therapeutics Facility supports the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. This lab is used by a core staff of experts to generate and expand cellular therapy products for custom cancer treatments under current Good Manufacturing/Tissue Practices (cGMP/cGTP). Design Vision The new and improved design within the irregular existing footprint allows for a more efficiently functioning lab and support spaces. Construction Focus The challenging logistics of this project required meticulous attention to detail to overcome the limited overhead clearance height. Small deviations have big impacts and our team used building information modeling (BIM) to model all overhead rough-ins to ensure every detail was considered. Elements Elements Elements Elements Elements Exterior Equipment Yard The expansion required a new 40-ton air handler, 110-ton chiller, redundant boiler skid and pump packages, and quad exhaust fans capable of moving 27,000 cfm of exhaust air. cGMP Practices “Thinking clean” is a necessary mindset even during construction. HITT implemented a custom clean-build protocol to establish procedures for all stages of construction. Phased Turnover Early turnover of the administrative area was required to start renovations on existing, active lab areas. Trust, built. Trust, built. Trust, built. Trust, built. Trust, built. Providing outstanding client service was the sole focus for the entirety of the project. Our goal was to exceed the client’s expectations for quality while providing an enjoyable construction experience for both the owner and landlord. As this project was completed in an occupied space with active clean rooms, extra care, and constant communication were critical. Our team remained flexible and was able to pivot around our client’s change requests without impacting the overall schedule. THE HITT EXPERIENCE HITT maintained great communication throughout the project with weekly meetings, thorough project updates and minutes, and continuous communication with the UNC project management team. We had a unique situation with a third-party building tenant requesting weekly meetings with HITT, UNC, and the landlord to receive updates on construction for transparency and communication. HITT was more than willing to meet this request, complete the third party’s project forms, and comply with any other requests that were made. This flexibility and support made it easier for UNC.” Heather Grant Morefield Executive Director—Real Estate, UNC Health Unique Challenges, Smart Solutions Ambitious projects require carefully constructed solutions Challenge Supply chain delays affected nearly all laboratory equipment in the facility, posing a threat to the overall schedule as long lead times would impact the sequencing of work. Solution To successfully manage the supply chain impacts, our team focused on clear communication. We aggressively managed the supply chain while tracking long lead items. Challenge Pfizer’s active cleanroom facility on the floor directly above the project required additional considerations for site logistics and sequencing. Solution Our team coordinated weekly calls with Pfizer to share schedule updates and review tasks that could potentially impact their operations. When power needed to be shut down, we provided three-week notices and backup generators to minimize disruption to their operations. Challenge The installation of overhead MEP systems was challenging due to the limited plenum space of 30-inches above hard-lid ceilings. Solution We utilized an as-build laser scan and developed a coordinated model to pre-fabricate long runs of piping and duct work. Alternate duct shapes and equipment selections were made where the specified equipment did not fit. Virtual Construction The project team used extensive BIM coordination during preconstruction to ensure ease of maintenance of overhead infrastructure once construction was complete. The Results Blood and tissue sample cryostorage and testing equipment used to develop clinical-grade cellular therapy products manufactured under current Good Manufacturing/Tissue Practices (cGMP/cGTP). Low ceilings presented a tight working environment. The team carefully installed 23,000 feet of ductwork throughout the building with eight-foot ceilings to ensure important equipment removes air and particles to support testing and clinical trials requiring human cellular therapy products. The project required careful coordination with multiple trades to install large pieces of equipment, such as benchtop fume hoods designed to contain pathogens and prevent particulate matter from being released into the air. Equipment installed in the space required heavy infrastructure coordination. These complex technologies are used to prepare, test, and deliver cellular products in compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements. Executives Executives Executives Executives Executives Key Team Members Mike Lutz Vice President & Office Leader Raleigh News & Insights News & Insights News & Insights News & Insights News & Insights News & Insights View All News Virginia Tech Dedicates Hitt Hall New 100,000 sf building for Virginia Tech's Myers-Lawson School of Construction named in honor of the Hitt family supports innovation ... Reports Gated 2024 Mid-Year Market Update and Construction Input Pricing Report Despite challenges, the U.S. construction industry has shown resilience in 2024, with moderate input prices, stabilized supply chains, and continued ... Related Related Related Related Related You may be interested in... Instil Bio MedImmune, Inc. – Administration and Research & Development Center Let's chat. Work With HITT Learn More