Pennsylvania Research Facility Renovation: Design-Build Conversion of an Outdated Building
Updated: Sep 7
Location: Pennsylvania
Industry: Research & Laboratory
Service: Occupied Space & Facility Renovation
The Situation
This Pennsylvania research facility renovation converted an outdated building into a fully operational support facility through a single design-build agreement. The building required coordinated improvements across its architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life-safety, communications, and exterior systems.
JBrennon was responsible for carrying the project from investigation and design through construction. That included developing permit-ready documents signed and sealed by Pennsylvania-licensed design professionals, coordinating multiple engineering disciplines, resolving existing-condition discrepancies, and delivering a finished facility ready to support ongoing technical operations.
The Challenge
Renovating an older research building under design-build delivery required the design to respond to actual field conditions rather than rely exclusively on legacy documents. Multiple site investigations and stakeholder work sessions were needed to verify dimensions, utility capacities, existing equipment, room functions, and the routing of systems that would remain or be replaced.
Design packages progressed through 30%, 90%, and final review stages. Comments affecting structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, communications, and finish work had to be resolved as one coordinated construction solution.
The building also contained aging systems and spaces that no longer supported its intended use. Exposed steam piping and heating components had to be removed. Electrical distribution and devices required replacement or expansion. Restrooms, showers, locker rooms, changing spaces, offices, corridors, and communications areas required reconfiguration.
Exterior windows, doors, wall finishes, and paved access areas also needed corrective work. Construction zones had to remain controlled and separated from surrounding facility operations throughout the project.
How We Worked
JBrennon began with field verification and multidisciplinary design coordination. Existing building information was checked against observed conditions, room layouts were developed around the new operational program, and structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, communications, and architectural requirements were integrated into a buildable set of documents.
Selective demolition removed exposed steam lines and associated heating components, obsolete electrical devices, damaged ceilings and finishes, and building elements that conflicted with the new layout. Interior walls were repaired or constructed as required, concrete floors were patched, and new ceiling-grid and tile systems were installed.
The completed interior included new carpet, resilient flooring, ceramic tile, cove base, polished floor areas, painted surfaces, and durable wall finishes selected for the different uses within the facility. Offices, corridors, work areas, and support spaces received new lighting, receptacles, switches, circuits, and equipment connections.
An electrical panel upgrade was incorporated when the existing distribution system required additional capacity for the renovated building.
Restrooms, shower rooms, locker rooms, and changing areas were fully reconstructed. The work included new toilets, sinks, a urinal, shower stalls, private changing areas, partitions, accessible fixtures, ventilation, moisture-resistant wall finishes, ceramic surfaces, and utility connections. A single-user accessible restroom was also created as part of the new layout.
Communications infrastructure was reorganized around a dedicated network space. Existing fiber, equipment racks, and associated components were relocated and reinstalled to serve the revised room arrangement. Cabling and power requirements were coordinated with the architectural and electrical work so the communications systems became part of the finished facility rather than a later overlay.
Mechanical and plumbing upgrades included removal of the obsolete steam-heating components, installation of new heating and ventilation equipment, and a new domestic hot-water heater with service connections for the restroom and shower areas.
Life-safety improvements included a new fire-alarm system, exit signs, and emergency lighting integrated with the renovated electrical system.
Exterior work replaced existing windows with new insulated units and included select door and frame replacement, wall-system repairs, pressure washing, stucco restoration, sealants, and repainting. Roadway and parking areas serving the building were milled, repaired, paved, and restriped to complete the site improvements.
Throughout construction, JBrennon maintained barricades, signage, controlled access, and organized waste removal around the active work zones. Architectural finishes and building systems were coordinated trade by trade so completed areas could be protected as work advanced through the building.
The Outcome
JBrennon transformed an outdated building into a functional, modern support facility through one coordinated design-build effort. The completed project combined redesigned interior spaces, upgraded utilities, new life-safety and communications systems, reconstructed restroom and changing facilities, renewed exterior assemblies, and improved paved access.
The owner received a building with its major systems and spaces aligned with current operational needs, along with the flexibility and maintainability provided by coordinated construction documents and fully integrated building systems.
Turnkey design-build delivery from field investigation through completed construction
Structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and communications systems coordinated under one agreement
Obsolete steam-heating components removed and building utilities modernized
Restrooms, showers, locker rooms, changing spaces, offices, and corridors reconstructed
Electrical distribution, lighting, devices, fire alarm, exit lighting, and emergency lighting upgraded
Network fiber and rack infrastructure relocated and integrated with the new layout
Replacement windows, exterior wall repairs, doors, coatings, paving, and striping completed