Presentations and
Published Articles
Lab and Pharmaceutical Construction

To receive copies of the following laboratory/pharmaceutical articles and presentations, e-mail Jim Contratto or call him at 314-919-2343.

Presentation Programs

“Tips for BSL-3Ag Vivaria Design and Construction”

Explore the Challenges of Building a High Containment Vivaria for Large Animals.

“Critical Biocontainment Construction Details and Their Impact on Budget”

Learn how an accurate budget can guarantee success on your next laboratory biocontainment project.  This program reviews conceptual estimating concepts, benchmarking, and budget variables for vivariums, BSL3 and BSL4 laboratories.

“Value Engineering and Cost Control”

Discover how value engineering can deliver the laboratory facility you expect within your available budget. From the “big picture” analysis to design details this program examines all the options you need to consider when constructing a lab.

“Project Decisions to Make Limited Construction Funds Go Further”

Learn how project delivery methods, project decisions, life cycle costs, and value engineering can affect the cost of your vivarium.

Published Articles

"Delivering High Impact Projects - 5 ways to mitigate owner risk during pharmaceutical construction"  

Published on pharmamanufacuturing.com in January 2007.
This article identifies 5 ways to mitigate owner risk on construction projects completed within a fully operational pharmaceutical facility, including what to look for when choosing a construction team for this highly specialized form of construction.

“How Can My Laboratory Facility Possibly Cost That Much”

Published in November 2006 of R&D Lab Design Handbook.
We are in a building boom … and, in an era of escalating costs and material shortages. This article examines ways to avoid sticker shock and gain more control over costs when planning your next laboratory project.

“High-Tech Research Facilities - What’s The Fuss” published in the September-October 2005 issue of St. Louis Construction News & Review.

Today’s highly specialized research facility requires much more specialized and integrated design, construction, and equipment than traditional commercial or institutional projects.  Find out why more research clients are expecting a completely collaborative, integrated equipment and facility solution before they begin construction.

“Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies” published in the September 2005 issue of Tradeline Inc.

Read about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s new Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies provides the university with a state-of-the-art location to conduct research and host world-class programs and symposia.  The $69.5 million (total project cost) facility was built by a fast track delivery method by McCarthy Building Companies.

“Commissioning-The Early Bird Gets The Worm” by Tom Kreher, VP Science and Technology at McCarthy Building Companies.  Published in the March/April 2005 issue of Animal Lab News.

Even though the bulk of commissioning occurs at the end of the lab’s construction, there’s still a lot of planning required along the way, starting as early as before the design development phase.  This article reviews the benefits of early commissioning and clearly identifies the components of a project that need to be commissioned.

“State-of-the-art cleanrooms designed for interactive nanotech research” published in the October 2004 edition of CleanRooms Magazine.

Understand the challenges associated with building one of the country’s most sophisticated nanotech research and training facilities, the 153,000-square-foot Duffield Hall at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.

“Building a State-of-the-art Nanotechnology Center” a case study by Eric Torkildson, McCarthy senior project manager.  Published in the February 2005 issue of A2C2 Magazine.

From vibrations to freezing weather, there were no shortages of challenges in building Cornell’s Duffield Hall.  This article describes some innovative solutions used to overcome the construction obstacles at this sophisticated and sensitive facility.

“Key equipment choices will impact vivarium construction” by Tom Kreher, VP Science and Technology at McCarthy Building Companies.  Published in the July 2004 issue of Laboratory Design. 

Among all the considerations that go into building a new animal research facility, equipment may be the most daunting.  Find out what you need to be aware of and how to work with a construction team that can help guide you through the process of equipment procurement, installation, and commissioning.

“What Contractors Wish Clients Knew About Fast-Tracking” by Walter “Bud” Guest, senior VP- Science and Technology at McCarthy Building Companies.  Published in the November 2004 issue of R&D Magazine.

Going fast has its pros and cons.  Make sure you understand both before deciding on a schedule.  Learn the different degrees of fast-tracking and their implications for your project.

“Building Research Labs” by Walter “Bud” Guest, senior VP-Science and Technology at McCarthy Building Companies.  Published in the November 2002 issue of American School & University.

Choosing the right builder for your laboratory project can mean the difference between success or a project “gone wrong.”  Explore the benefits of specialized experience, savvy preconstruction services, and expert strategy and processes in this article written by a leader in science and technology facility construction. 

“Think like a construction manager to balance speed, cost, and quality”  Published in the April 2002 edition of Laboratory Design.

What’s the key to a successful lab construction project?  A top-notch design?  A committed project team?  A dedicated “champion” representing the interests of the users and clients?  Discover the answers in this comprehensive article.

“Building the Future at the Danforth Plant Science Center” Published in the September/October 2001 issue of St. Louis Construction News and Review.

The Danforth Plant Science Center is making a significant impact on St. Louis’ whole economic base as well as on the City’s research base.  Find out more about the unusual features of the building and the thinking behind its  design and construction.

To receive copies of the laboratory/pharmaceutical articles and presentations above, e-mail Jim Contratto or call him at 314-919-2343.