Aligning design with operational need

Supporting Seattle Children's Research Institute's mission, this study and fit-out project renovates two floors to include a new executive office suite, updated office areas, communal gathering space, and a new BSL-3 lab. Flad completed a master plan to identify the optimal campus location for relocating, consolidating, and expanding existing BSL-3 suites into a unified space. This effort was essential to aligning the facility's design with the client's operational needs and long-term expansion goals.

The 7,200-square-foot renovation includes conference rooms and an executive suite for leadership, as well as an open office area with quiet rooms for remote/hybrid employees. An open plan staff break area with a kitchenette offers downtown views, while the expansive lounge serves as event space with access to the outdoor terrace. These communal spaces offer a variety of seating options and outdoor scenery, providing a third place for employees to work and relax away from their desks.

The BSL-3 lab design incorporates strict entry and exit protocols to ensure safety and containment. It begins with a spacious gowning room adjacent to a shared containment corridor, leading to specialized spaces. The entire facility is designed to handle non-select agents with dedicated isolation and containment measures in place for multiple pathogen research.