Inhibrx is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing a broad pipeline of novel biologic therapeutic candidates. After settling into a 31,000-square-foot lab-office space designed by FPBA on the second floor of a building in Torrey Pines Science Park, Inhibrx expanded to the first floor for additional office space. FPBA designed an office suite with playful elements to match Inhibrx’s dynamic company culture. Splashes of green, blue and orange energize the space; wooden features, concrete floors and exposed ceilings introduce a raw quality to balance out the bright colors. A custom reception desk and screen wall made of wood slats and steel create an industrial-style entrance to welcome visitors. Multiple conference rooms and huddle areas provide ample space for both formal meetings and impromptu brainstorming sessions.
Pacira Biosciences, Inc. is a leading provider of non-opioid pain management and regenerative health solutions dedicated to advancing and improving outcomes for health care practitioners and their patients. The company relocated its R&D and pilot-scale manufacturing functions to an existing building at 10410 Science Center Drive. Having designed the original shell and several renovations over the last two decades, FPBA partnered with Pacira to provide a multi-phased, full-building tenant improvement. Beginning with programming and conceptual design, FPBA coordinated with various user groups for input on desired capacity and features for each function. Spaces include a formulation lab; medical device assembly lab; ISO 7/8 cleanrooms; warehouse; office space; and a 6,000-square-foot town hall space with a break room, smart market, and two large meeting rooms that can be divided by an operable wall. A subdued color palette of grays and slate teal offer a neutral, calming work environment. Minimalist accents and modern finishes complete the aesthetic. Ultimately, the revitalized building provides a bustling R&D and manufacturing hub that will accommodate Pacira’s growth for years to come.
Decipher Biosciences is a premier provider of genomic testing for prostate and bladder cancers. The company leased the second floor of a Healthpeak building at 6925 Lusk Blvd. FPBA executed a 16,000 SF tenant improvement complete with lab space, open office space, conference rooms, huddle areas, lobby, and a uniquely shaped break room. Bright accent walls and linear lighting bring life to the office space. Liberal use of glass walls increase transparency and connect the lab and office areas. FPBA originally designed the space as a lab-office speculative suite for Healthpeak. The planning and design of the spec suite helped attract Decipher Bio to the building and provided a solid foundation for the tenant improvement. Pendant light fixtures that were initially installed in the speculative suite were re-imagined in the tenant improvement and placed in conjunction with floating acoustical ceilings. FPBA also recently completed a speculative suite for Healthpeak on the first floor of the same building.
The City of El Centro acquired an aging complex called the Valley Center Point Shopping Center and partnered with FPBA to revitalize and design a new library within it. FPBA evaluated different scenarios—renovation of the existing building vs. demolition/construction of a new ground-up facility—and presented a final recommendation to the City Council, along with a vision for the library, in order to secure funding for the project. The poor condition, health hazards, shorter life span and lower flexibility of the existing building led FPBA to recommend the ground-up option, which was unanimously approved by the council. The new library’s architecture is inspired by the natural landscapes of the Painted Gorge and manmade landscapes of regional agriculture. El Centro was once underwater in pre-historic Lake Cahuilla. The design commemorates this history with an archeological theme in the children’s area, incorporating ancient underwater fossils that can be found in places like Fossil Canyon today. These features reinforce a connection to the surrounding community while also creating learning opportunities for children. Other aspects of the library are also inspired by the region’s topography. Perforated shade canopies resemble the patchwork pattern of agriculture fields, while a functional retention basin resembles a natural arroyo, supplemented by landscaping and boulders.
Callan Ridge is a new three-story campus in the heart of San Diego’s Torrey Pines scientific research area. The two-building complex augments part of Healthpeak’s 20-acre Torrey Pines Science Park with simplified circulation, improved accessibility and greater connectivity. Visitors are greeted by a soaring canopy with integrated photovoltaics that casts dappled light upon walkways, outdoor conferencing and event spaces. A grand outdoor staircase interspersed with greenery provides opportunity for spontaneous interaction, an exchange of ideas that is vital to the research environment. The campus is oriented to embrace the easterly canyon views and features the largest single-building green roof in San Diego. The view is akin to that of an infinity pool—or in this case an infinity garden—with an array of plants that blend seamlessly into the landscape of the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. The green roof reduces the campus’ heat island effect, attracts pollinators, and provides a unique outdoor space. In addition to the solar panels/green roof, this LEED project leverages dynamic glass, which automatically tints windows to control sunlight and heat throughout the day. Steel and concrete materials contain high levels of recycled content. Recycled irrigation, low-water-use plants, and low-flow plumbing fixtures promote water conservation.
Watkins Wellness is the world’s leading manufacturer of spas and maker of aquatic fitness products. Once headquartered in an aging building in Vista, Watkins Wellness brought in FPBA to refresh the facility and align the design with the company’s brand of helping people relax and live healthier, happier lives. The renovated space includes office and lab areas for engineering and R&D, offices for sales and marketing, a design studio, and a new spa showroom. FPBA transformed an existing high-bay warehouse into a vibrant new spa showroom with a multi-functional second floor. Structural constraints limited window openings to a certain size. FPBA embraced this challenge by conducting daylighting studies to determine the best strategy for letting as much natural light in as possible given the limitations. Additionally, the second floor was designed with an opening in the middle to allow natural light from skylights to reach the lower level. The second floor features a large open area with varied collaborative seating, conference rooms and a bar for holding special sales events with potential clients and distributors. Blade-shaped acoustic panels absorb sound in the wide open space, creating a comfortable and relaxing environment. FPBA is working with Watkins Wellness on subsequent improvements that will implement the new office standard in other departments, refresh existing cafes and restrooms, and create a tiered auditorium for presentations and training.
CrownBio is a cutting-edge translational technology company that helps biopharmaceutical companies accelerate their drug development programs in the fight against cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. A rapidly growing business, CrownBio relocated to a larger space in an existing, warm shell, multi-tenant building in Rancho Bernardo. FPBA provided programming through construction administration services for the tenant improvement including vivarium, lab, office and warehouse space. The vivarium utilizes an intricate corridor layout with air showers to control cross-contamination between viral, non-viral and tissue culture suites. Laboratory functions include biology and tissue culture labs. Incorporating sustainable design practices, FPBA sourced existing lab equipment from Recycled Labs to prevent waste and save on building costs. From casework to cabinets and drying racks, recycled equipment comprised about two thirds of the lab furniture. Warehouse space utilizes low racking and a relocated high density storage system. Office areas include private and open offices, conference rooms and a lunch room/all-hands meeting room with a sliding glass door for flexibility.
Shanghai Pharma is engaged in the research and development, manufacturing, distribution and retailing of pharmaceutical products, including medicines for the cardiovascular system, metabolism, and central nervous system. FPBA provided design through construction administration services for Shanghai Pharma’s newly expanded R&D center in San Diego. With the introduction of a fresh new palette of design elements, FPBA worked with BioMed Realty and Shanghai Pharma to bring new life to a lab-office space within an existing suite, while creating a speculative suite with the remaining space on the west side. Orange accent walls complement Shanghai Pharma’s branding and energize each area, while neutral flooring and furniture choices provide balance. Transparent glass walls between the lab and breakroom open up the space and allow sunlight to spread throughout. Shanghai Pharma’s new R&D center includes lab space, a cold room, private offices, open office, conference rooms, flex space, collaboration space, a break room and a main entry.
FPBA completed schematic design through construction administration for a two-floor renovation to create new lab, office and support spaces for biology investigation students and faculty. FPBA also assisted with temporary relocation of scientific groups, value engineering, and incorporation of design requests by end users. Seven unique users had distinct requirements for their assigned labs and spaces. Gathering input through interviews, FPBA accommodated them with individualized programming and creative user adjacencies with shared functions. Opening up the existing ceiling spaces along the east walls exposed additional windows and let natural light into the interior corridor spaces. Designing the office walls along the corridor with high clerestory windows captured this light, above the office occupants’ heads, and allowed it to reach the inner corridors.
After purchasing a two-building office campus in Sorrento Mesa, Healthpeak planned to convert one of the buildings into a flex lab-office environment for research and development. FPBA partnered with Healthpeak to bring this vision to life. Between the two buildings is a lush courtyard lined with several seating areas. Trees, patio umbrellas, and a custom steel and wood trellis offer shade, creating an oasis to which tenants can retreat throughout the day. A new aluminum entry canopy wraps around the glass doorway, leading to the lobby. An open staircase hovers over a bed of pebble rocks, creating a focal point within the space. Wood paneling and linear lighting further embellish the stair, drawing the eye up toward a perforated acoustic ceiling, while guiding tenants up to the second floor. FPBA converted the second floor from offices into a lab-office speculative suite, creating 5,000 square feet of lab space and 11,000 square feet of office space and a conference room. A similar speculative lab on the first floor followed shortly after, featuring a large lunch room that opens out to the courtyard. In the adjacent building, FPBA designed an indoor-outdoor fitness center and matching entry canopy to continue boosting the campus appeal.
