University of Massachusetts Dartmouth opens new lab

Suffolk Construction Celebrates Grand Opening of New Research Lab at University of Massachusetts DartmouthComplex state-of-the-Art BSL 3 laboratory project marks Suffolk’s third successful project for the University BOSTON, Mass.– Suffolk Construction joined faculty and students from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth as well as representatives from the design team ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge to celebrate the grand opening of the school’s new $14 million BSL 3 laboratory and research facility. Suffolk’s team constructed the 29,000 square-foot building on the active college campus in just 12 months. The new complex will be used to focus on biotechnology-related science and research and is home to the University’s National Botulinum Research Center (NBRC). Because the nature of the research conducted in the NBRC deals with infectious agents, the facility includes a BSL 3 laboratory - a very complex facility to construct due to heightened containment measures and restricted air flow systems that must be put in place to ensure the safety and security of people working in the lab. Suffolk’s knowledgeable project team, with its expertise and understanding of these sensitive requirements, was the ideal choice to construct the new facility. “This state-of-the-art project required a team of professionals with the skills and experience to construct a highly complex BSL 3 lab on an aggressive schedule within an active college campus. Our team was able to meet the University’s completion date without compromising the high quality of construction. We are proud of the long standing relationship we have fostered with UMass Dartmouth and look forward to future projects,” said Jeff Gouveia, Suffolk’s Executive Vice President & General Manager. Having successfully completed two previous residence hall projects on campus, Suffolk’s team was able to leverage its familiarity with the school’s everyday operations and solid track record of working with faculty and staff to execute a construction plan that ensured minimal disruption to campus activities. Suffolk’s team worked seamlessly on the open and operating campus, coordinating construction activities and material deliveries to ensure the safety of staff, students and visitors and maintain a highly efficient construction schedule.