Hanbury's Science and Technology Practice Grows Roots
One of Hanbury's long-standing strategic goals has been to build a national practice in the Science and Technology market that reflects our firm's values. This goal began to be realized last year due to some key additions to the firm and continues to gain momentum even in these unprecedented sheltering-in-place days.
Hanbury's CEO David Keith explains, "Designing for science and technology research facilities requires specialized professionals with a deep understanding of the physical space and specific technology requirements that these fields demand. It's not something just any designer can jump into without an incredibly steep learning curve. With our team of skilled designers and laboratory planners, we not only have the specialized skill sets, but also a team that is driven to create highly functional facilities that are loved and endure.”
In 2019, Hanbury's strategic hires of life science research and laboratory facility thought leaders Patrick O'Keefe and Chris Small have quickly shown promise. In their short time with the firm, O'Keefe and Small have amassed a team of top tier designers and laboratory planners and have been awarded over 20 significant projects for the firm's emerging Science and Technology practice. More recently, George Kemper joined the firm as Director of Laboratory Planning. George has over 30 years of direct experience in leading laboratory planning teams in the design of complex research environments for corporate, clinical, higher education, and pharmaceutical clients.
Chris, Pat and George are recognized nationally for their specialized experience. Individually, they've shared best practices in contemporary industry journals and through presentations and panel discussions at national science conferences including the I2SL International Conference, Tradeline and Lab Design Conference. Our practice leadership is accompanied by Laboratory Planners Lauren Eaton and Chris Bartlett and Design Architects Mike Brady and James Benson, who as a group, have completed some of the most notable corporate and academic life science projects in the Mid-Atlantic region. Collectively, the members of our Science and Technology practice have designed and planned more than 4.5 million square feet of life science projects throughout the United States.
In addition to providing design and lab planning services to our higher education, corporate and public institution clients; our Science and Technology practice also works in partnership, as laboratory planning specialists, with other national architecture firms – a reflection of Hanbury's trusted position in the life sciences market.
Led by O'Keefe and Small, Hanbury's Science and Technology practice is currently designing a new corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility for a pharmaceutical company specializing in the development of contract plasmid production and is also advising a global agricultural company on a campus consolidation.
O'Keefe and Small have built a practice rich in biosafety, cleanroom and vivarium experience and a team of nationally respected laboratory planners. Diversifying beyond the higher education market has been a recent goal for Hanbury. The firm has marked success in the civic and commercial markets in Raleigh and Norfolk. This regeneration of the firm's Science and Technology practice is allowing Hanbury to realize its vision as a nationally-recognized leader in life science facility design and planning.
