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Science & Technology

Rocky Mountain Integrated Research Facility

Hamilton, Montana

Located at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories campus in Hamilton, Montana, the Rocky Mountain Integrated Research Facility, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH/NIAID) facility complements the National Institutes of Health program and support national research on the top priority agents for biodefense.

The facility is a strategic component for the NIH Intramural Biodefense Agenda as it includes BSL2, BSL3 and BSL4 containment laboratories designed specifically for research. The highly secure enhanced containment capacity enables research teams to study pathogens defined as Category A, B, or C agents by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Architecture49 team developed new planning models based on the concepts of dynamic interdisciplinary research teams, containment core support services, and the new FDA Two Animal Rule as new drivers in containment facility planning specific to the biodefense research agenda. The result provides greatly enhanced flexibility in laboratory programming, increased utilization and adaptability of animal modeling capability, and more efficient staffing models to support the high containment research program.

The three-storey, research laboratory includes 34,600 sq ft net area dedicated to research, which includes a 16,000 gsf high containment floor of BSL4 labs, BSL4/BSL3Ag labs, BSL4 animal holding rooms, as well as insectary, aerobiology suites, and a future imaging suite. Support areas include BSL2, BSL3, administration training facilities, and non-human primates quarantine suites. The IRF incorporated an existing BSL3 facility to create a single secure facility sharing loading docks and cage wash facilities. Infrastructure support facilities houses new boilers, chillers and emergency generators.