DPT Research & Development Facility
Location: San Antonio
Client: DPT Laboratories, a division of DFB Pharmaceuticals
Completion Date: 2005
DPT Laboratories, a division of DFB Pharmaceuticals, elected to locate a new 30,000-square-foot research and development laboratory and a 257,000-square-foot distribution facility in the technology section of Brooks City Base in San Antonio. All research components of the company were brought together in a single expanded building. Project completed by Rick Keeler while with another firm, prior to joining Burns & McDonnell.
- Architecture
- Landscape architecture
- Space planning
- Furniture design
Included in the laboratory facility are chemistry, formulation and pharmacology. The single-story building has offices and work spaces on the perimeter. Labs are positioned internally. Design elements include three large skylights, designed into each lab to provide diffused natural light, a desired feature of the researchers for enhancement of the work atmosphere.
The distribution facility has two additional labs, one for methods and one for testing. These previously separate labs were redesigned to share functions such as chemical storage, balance rooms, dark room and HPLC’s. The weigh area for sampling contains six explosion-proof clean rooms equipped with a dust collection system. The area also includes a cold room, warm room and hot room for sample storage and preparation. Four levels of progressively negative pressure protect the clean rooms from the warehouse area. Two-thirds of the warehouse is air-conditioned space and contains protected storage for controlled substances.
Some of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) considerations for the buildings:
- Using recycled water for irrigation
- A ductless system for air-conditioning the warehouse
- A central utility plant
The most dramatic environmental issue was site preparation for the campus. The location chosen was one of the lowest points on the former Air Force Base. Since the abandoned runways and taxiways were scheduled to be removed, the material was ground up and moved a short distance and used to provide up to six feet of select fill for the new buildings. This created a tremendous savings for all parties.
