Rendering of a large med chem lab inside the new Neurocrine Biosciences campus in Del Mar CA

A Fully Amenitized Life Sciences Campus

Neurocrine Biosciences Campus, Buildings 1-4 TI | Del Mar, California

DPR performed tenant improvements of a 230,000-sq.-ft. office buildout, plus another 320,000 sq. ft. of interior R&D space. The new R&D spaces comprise complex chemistry and biology labs, a small cGMP clean room, and over 200 fume hoods. Other scopes inlcude a ground-up central utility plant and associated underground chilled water piping to serve all four buildings on campus, as well as a 2MW emergency generator. The entire scope is set to finish on budget and on schedule in November of 2024.

Creating Early

Alignment

Technical design-assist MEP scopes, full BIM coordination, navigating a complex lease agreement between landlord and tenant: all required an integrated build with the DPR core and shell team to deliver on a fast-track schedule. DPR went beyond reviewing the project Responsibility Matrix to document all changes in the drawings, aligning our detailed estimate to the correct cost buckets. The team meticulously communicated items in the TI plans (for which the shell/landlord was responsible) to address concerns of having costs in the right funding source. Our extra due diligence to fix disparities prevented conflicts between landlord and tenant as the project progressed.

Challenges and

Solutions

Complex Mechanical and Plumbing

With over 200 fume hoods and a building-wide network of solvent process piping, the R&D and cGMP spaces in Buildings 3 and 4 required extensive above-ceiling and in-wall MEP coordination within congested spaces. DPR's Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) team worked closely with design and trade partners to model and coordinate constructible, maintainable systems.

Mitigating Labor Impact on Critical Path

DPR's capacity to self-perform drywall, framing, doors/frames/hardware, acoustic ceiling tile, and specialties such as bathroom partitions and accessories gave the project the necessary skilled labor resources to run efficiently. Avoiding labor shortages and scope gaps allowed the team to drive the schedule forward on multiple buildings simultaneously.

Workforce Safety on an Active Campus

The buildings completed during Phase 1 were located toward the back of campus. DPR meticulously coordinated site logistics, including clear communication and wayfinding for building occupants, to maintain the safety of all working on campus throughout the construction of buildings 3 and 4, as well as subsequent tenant improvements.

two DPR self-perform construction team members in PPE examine electrical and plumbing lines before drywall install
mid-distance shot of a DPR self-perform drywall tradesman wearing PPE walking toward camera and smiling
DPR team leadership gives a presentation to large room full of tradespeople on site
Challenges and

Solutions

two DPR self-perform construction team members in PPE examine electrical and plumbing lines before drywall install

Complex Mechanical and Plumbing

With over 200 fume hoods and a building-wide network of solvent process piping, the R&D and cGMP spaces in Buildings 3 and 4 required extensive above-ceiling and in-wall MEP coordination within congested spaces. DPR's Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) team worked closely with design and trade partners to model and coordinate constructible, maintainable systems.

mid-distance shot of a DPR self-perform drywall tradesman wearing PPE walking toward camera and smiling

Mitigating Labor Impact on Critical Path

DPR's capacity to self-perform drywall, framing, doors/frames/hardware, acoustic ceiling tile, and specialties such as bathroom partitions and accessories gave the project the necessary skilled labor resources to run efficiently. Avoiding labor shortages and scope gaps allowed the team to drive the schedule forward on multiple buildings simultaneously.

DPR team leadership gives a presentation to large room full of tradespeople on site

Workforce Safety on an Active Campus

The buildings completed during Phase 1 were located toward the back of campus. DPR meticulously coordinated site logistics, including clear communication and wayfinding for building occupants, to maintain the safety of all working on campus throughout the construction of buildings 3 and 4, as well as subsequent tenant improvements.

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