Debut Biotech is dedicated to unlocking natural ingredients through sustainable, cell-free biomanufacturing. After raising more than $22 million in financing, the company set out to scale up and commercialize the ingredients it develops by expanding its footprint in San Diego. FPBA worked with developer Longfellow Real Estate and Debut to design a lab-office suite that connects to an existing area already occupied by Debut at the SOVA Science District. FPBA provided detailed programming to help Debut define design criteria for the lab and office areas, fitting the program within the available space and accommodating specialty equipment such as bioreactors and incubators. The main lab utilizes mobile casework and ceiling utility connections to allow for future reconfigurations. The open office environment features flexible workstations and huddle areas with acoustic ceilings dispersed throughout. The mezzanine level houses additional offices and a group of conference rooms that serve both the new suite and existing adjacent suite.
Prometheus Biosciences is focused on discovering and developing novel therapeutics and companion diagnostic products for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). After going public and doubling in staff, Prometheus relocated from Sorrento Mesa to the Muse at Torrey Pines campus to allow for continued growth. FPBA worked with Prometheus to convert warm shell space into a lab-office suite with labs, open and private offices, a large breakroom, conference room, and huddle areas. An open work environment that promotes interaction and idea sharing was important to Prometheus. The resulting design minimizes partitions and uses glass walls throughout. Glass spans the perimeter of the main lab, revealing beautiful Torrey Pines views and allowing light to flow through the suite. The breakroom and conference room are distinguished by ceilings of converging wood beams interspersed with linear lighting. FPBA is working with Prometheus on a second phase of development to expand their space to an additional floor.
Watkins Wellness is the world’s leading manufacturer of hot tubs and aquatic fitness products. FPBA has worked with the company to refresh its existing facility in Vista through several phases of tenant improvements. After renovating lab, office and showroom areas in a first phase of work, the team brought the new design standard to three breakrooms and 12 restrooms in a second phase of upgrades. Aligning with the design from the previous phase, FPBA integrated a mixture of wood tones and bright colors with playful furniture and lighting to create energizing spaces. In the largest breakroom, FPBA used various design elements to split up the space into different zones. Wood slats and acoustic fins surround the kitchen area, while lounge seating and a yellow mesh ceiling denote the gaming and rec area. In the smaller break rooms, FPBA took inspiration from Watkins Wellness’ spa manufacturing line. Linear lights meander across the ceiling to emulate the production line in an abstract form. The team completed the project under a tight timeline so that the space could be used for a large company event. Ultimately, the upgraded breakrooms reflect Watkins Wellness’ award-winning company culture and have been well-received by employees.
FPBA embarked on a refresh of its own office to create an environment that would reflect the design capabilities of the firm, promote activity-based working, and house many types of meetings and events. The design team explored several options to reconfigure the existing space, which previously housed staff workstations on the second and third floors of the building. Through several in-house design charrettes, FPBA arrived at a beautiful, modern workplace solution. The office refresh brought all San Diego employees onto the third floor with an open office concept that encourages collaboration, as well as a variety of huddle and conference rooms for focus work and meetings. The second floor was completely transformed into a flexible space that can accommodate lunch and learns, happy hours, all-hands meetings, and events with clients.
Capsida Biotherapeutics Inc. is a fully integrated biotechnology company creating a new class of targeted adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies for patients with debilitating and life-threatening genetic disorders. The company engaged FPBA to design a new cGMP manufacturing facility for production of AAV gene therapies. The facility includes two ballroom production suites, a fill suite, and an in-house quality-control laboratory. Single-use bioreactors provide efficient product changeovers and equipment cleaning. “The fact that we were able to go from detailed design to mechanical completion in less than a year is incredible,” said Rob Murphy, vice president of manufacturing at Capsida. “The faster we are able to produce clinical supplies, the faster we’ll be able to get our innovative gene therapies to the patients who need them. This was all made possible by our fantastic team and our terrific partners.”
Exact Sciences is a molecular diagnostics company focused on advancing earlier cancer detection and liquid biopsies. The company determined a need for more space after acquiring Biomatrica, a company that develops sample collection tubes. FPBA provided design services to convert an existing office space in Torrey Pines into an R+D center for Exact Sciences. FPBA leveraged Exact Sciences’ corporate standards to create a serene, sophisticated workplace. A double-volume stairway with a perforated feature wall opens up the space and connects the first and second levels. An open office, collaboration zone, and focus rooms equipped with acoustical products offer diverse spaces for all types of work. Expansive windows provide sunlight and views of the eastern mountains, while geometric lighting supplements the natural daylight. In the labs, mobile casework and overhead utility panels maximize flexibility. A low floor-to-floor height—in certain areas lower than 8 feet—posed a great challenge to the design team. With laser scanning, BIM coordination, and strategic placement of the warehouse and storage, the team achieved a clean aesthetic with no exposed mechanical ductwork. FPBA was also challenged with an aggressive timeline. Through stacked phasing, the team was able to complete the project on schedule, delivering a space for Exact Sciences’ employees to thrive.
Bausch Health Companies Inc. is a global company whose mission is to improve people’s lives with health care products. They develop a range of pharmaceutical, medical device and over-the-counter products, primarily in the therapeutic areas of eye health, gastroenterology and dermatology. FPBA partnered with Bausch Health to provide a 42,000-square-foot multi-phased tenant improvement for their primary dermatology R&D site. The first phase consisted of an 11,000-square-foot renovation of office areas, conference rooms, and a reception area, as well as site accessibility upgrades. New storefront glass, doors, movable partitions and modern finishes rounded out the office refresh. In the second phase, FPBA led the design and engineering team through 30,000 square feet of mechanical and lighting upgrades. Phase three included 8,000 square feet of lab improvements, resulting in an expanded analytical lab, formulations lab, and associated lab support rooms. This project was a highly technical, complex project that required close coordination among Bausch Health, FPBA and the contractor to sequence the project in multiple sub-phases to maintain a fully functional, operational facility during construction. The team successfully completed the project in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic with minimal schedule impact.
The La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to understanding the immune system and improving human health through the development of treatments and cures for immune system disorders. LJI is home to three research centers–the Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation, the Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, and the Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research–which all depend on a clinical center to collect patient samples for use in their studies. As a supporting facility for the Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, the new Center for Clinical Investigation evaluates how the body battles COVID-19 and conversely how infectious pathogens escape immune surveillance. The center previously operated out of a small converted copy room, but as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic swept the globe, it became critical for LJI to have a larger, dedicated facility. The new center will also fuel LJI’s research into other infectious diseases, cancer and autoimmune diseases. The facility houses multiple suites where nursing staff can interview patients and collect blood samples. Adjacent to the patient suites is a specialty lab where samples can be efficiently processed before moving up to LJI’s research labs for the next stage. “The Center for Clinical Investigation at La Jolla Institute was formerly a storage area, and through the work of our facilities and operations led by John Keegan, we’ve been able to reconfigure this into a very efficiently designed facility,” said Mitchell Kronenberg, Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer at LJI. “We delivered a well-appointed, fully functional center for clinical investigation that was on budget, on schedule, and had zero COVID cases,” said John Keegan, Senior Director, Facilities and Operations at LJI.
The RMR Group LLC is an alternative asset management company with more than 30 years of institutional experience investing in commercial real estate and managing real estate related businesses. FPBA partnered with The RMR Group on the redevelopment of Muse, a Class A, three-building life science campus in Torrey Pines. FPBA provided design development through construction administration services for the redevelopment project. This fully redeveloped 186,000 SF campus offers flexible lab and office spaces, collaborative workstations, lounges and break rooms tailored to the unique needs of each tenant. Sweeping exterior views and first-class amenities create an elevated tenant experience. An indoor / outdoor training and conference center provides a modern space for both large and small meetings, equipped with the latest AV technology. A state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga studio, bike and surf storage, walking trails and outdoor activities promote health and wellbeing, while a gourmet restaurant and hillside courtyard deck round out the campus experience.
Mapp Bio develops novel pharmaceuticals for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, focusing on unmet needs in global health and biodefense. FPBA partnered with Mapp Bio and Healthpeak to provide design through construction administration services for a turnkey tenant improvement in an existing building at 4921 Directors Place. Totaling 13,800 square feet of lab and 8,900 square feet of office space, the first-floor suite offers a neutral and calming experience with hints of orange, blue and yellow that brighten up the space through furniture and accent walls. The space accommodates two distinct research groups with dedicated labs and offices for each, while liberal use of glass creates a seamless look. A versatile conference area in the center of the suite can house all-hands meetings or split up into two rooms for smaller sessions. Collaboration spaces and phone rooms provide additional options for impromptu brainstorming, phone calls and focused work.
