Green Building Tour: EMD Serono Research & Development Institute

By Anthony Lucivero, Advocacy Fellow

Our next Green Building Tour event will be on May 26th at 6:00pm at EMD Serono Research & Development Institute in Billerica, MA.

Come join your green building colleagues for a tour of the EMD Serono Research & Development Institute in Billerica in the Unity and Sagamore buildings. The Unity building, containing 140,000 gsf of laboratory and support space, is connected to the newly renovated office space of the Sagamore building by a an enclosed pedestrian bridge. The Unity building achieved LEED Gold certification in 2011, the Sagamore building achieved LEED Platinum certification in 2015. The Unity building is a state-of -the-art biology and chemistry research facility which houses 200 scientists dedicated to research in cancer biology, cancer immunotherapy, oncogene signaling, medicinal chemistry, molecular modelling, protein engineering, therapeutic antibodies and manufacturing cell lines across its key therapeutic areas. The Sagamore building is a former pilot scale Protein Production Laboratory which has been transformed into an open concept office space where project teams can collaborate, communicate and share knowledge, while further having the access to private project rooms for heads down work. The combined building space comprises 237,000 sf of laboratory and office space housing 450 employees in total.

Both projects received high ratings for indoor environmental air quality, water efficiency, and innovation in the LEED rating system. The Unity building was the sixth research lab in Massachusetts to achieve its level of certification. The Unity building’s green design features include, efficient energy lighting and controls, low flow water systems, grey water system, low flow fume hoods, and maximized natural light throughout the building with a solar array that generates electricity for the main lobby area. The Sagamore building’s sustainable design features include floor and wall treatments of 100% sustainable and/or recycled material, locally sourced low emitting materials, and adaptive use of existing building MEP equipment and systems to optimize energy performance. EMD Serono prides itself on environmental responsibility and cutting edge technology which are driving factors for the facility design.

The presenters from EMD Serono include Tony Meenaghan, Senior Director Facilities EHS & Engineering, Jeff Hyman, Senior Manager, Environmental Health & Safety US, and Jack Conway, Project Manager Facilities. EMD Serono, is the U.S. biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. And special thanks to our Emerging Professionals committtee for coordinating the event. Chapter members, who are connected to the project, from Ellenzweig, BR+A and The Green Engineer will be on hand to help answer questions.

The event is sponsored by JLL Construction. JLL Construction offers comprehensive services as a construction manager, general contractor and design/builder, completing over 300 diverse assignments annually. With a service reach throughout New England and in Philadelphia, JLL Construction delivers construction solutions to an extensive roster of Life Sciences, Higher Education, Government, Corporate, Industrial, Technology, Hospitality, and Residential/Retail clients. Assignments range from smaller interior fit-outs to $100 million mixed-use developments. Their online portfolio can be viewed at http://jll.com/boston-construction.

The tour will take place from 6:00-7:00pm. EMD will host us for a social event afterwards with drinks and appetizers from 7:00-8:00pm. For carpooling purposes, please include the town from which you will be coming to the tour. EMPA will help facilitate ride sharing for those who are interested.