The new bio-medical research facility was designed as a secure and tightly controlled environment with flexibility to accommodate the needs of researchers over time. Suites of research rooms were clustered between access (clean) and egress (soiled) corridors to minimize the spread of pathogens. Compartmentalization of suites offered flexibility to accommodate various activities and to prevent cross contamination. Modular research rooms were sized for racks, change stations and BSC and can be configured as either holding or procedure rooms with services provided for both functions. Room volumes were modelled using computational fluid dynamics to ensure consistent environment conditions throughout. Finishes were robust and seamless to maintain cleanliness.

Researchers required work spaces with environmental containment for use of infectious pathogens. A new type of containment cubicle (walk-in BSC) was proposed by Morrison Hershfield to sub-divide a typical research room into six (6) work spaces each with an ante room and separate HVAC (HEPA) system. A cyclonic dust collector was included (for bird flu studies) which would otherwise load HEPA filters and degrade the containment.