The Philadelphia VA Medical Center is a full-service medical and research facility consisting of numerous buildings in a campus-type setting.   The hospital has undergone numerous renovations and additions over the years; however, the research laboratories have not been upgraded in some time.

AE Works was awarded both Phase I and II of this high-profile research renovation. This project renovates 40,000-SF to provide state-of-the-art medical research laboratories and upgrade animal research facilities in an occupied hospital building.    Work included hazardous material abatement and demolition of the entire space excluding shafts, and the reinstallation of systems to accommodate the new functions.

The design also involved several challenges to incorporate specialized equipment, including radioactive storage, lead-lined rooms for radiology and a cage wash.  Our team worked closely with the Philadelphia VAMC team to determine requirements to carefully assess existing conditions, infrastructure requirements and phasing to meet these needs.

In addition, it was particularly challenging to incorporate sustainable design features into this project; however, the AE Works team achieved energy savings by modifying penthouse equipment and providing innovative lighting solutions such as task lighting, indirect lighting and controls.   Also supporting energy efficiency design efforts, AE Works replaced select windows as part of the renovation.