High technology labs for life sciences were the technical challenge for RLS when it came to noise and vibration control at Fibrogen’s new Mission Bay SF Headquarters. Brought in at the early stages of core and shell development, RLS exercised great care in designing an HVAC noise and vibration system that not only shielded the nearby residential neighborhoods from unwanted noise, but met the stringent vibration criteria associated with sensitive lab equipment.
The acoustic design scope extended to creating open work spaces and meeting areas that enabling productive interaction between scientists, administrative staff, clinical researchers, and visiting experts.
Phase 1 of the project encompassed 239,000 square feet of office and lab space supporting 250 employees. A second phase is planned wherein another 211,000-square foot building will be constructed at the Mission Bay site.
The project’s signature piece, a 1.5-acre on-structure podium plaza, sits 12 feet above street level with framed views of the bay. The south garden, planted with native grasses, provides intimate spaces for gathering. The great lawn frames a sculpture by artist Tony Cragg and then “spills” off the podium as it reaches for the water.