A Rutgers project was among 27 major construction projects recognized recently by the New Jersey Alliance for Action. The Alliance awards significant capital projects under development that will positively impact the state’s economy and are considered innovative, pioneering, and landmark in nature.
The New Jersey Health + Life Science Exchange (HELIX), a public-private partnership, was awarded New Jersey’s Leading Capital Construction Project. When completed, the first phase of the HELIX (H-1) will include three major components: Rutgers Translational Research, the new home for Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and the New Jersey Innovation Hub.
IP&O’s Laura Berman, Assistant Vice President, Architecture and Design, accepted the award on behalf of the university.
Translational Research seeks more meaningful research results through broad collaboration between laboratory and clinical researchers. The desires of the public are considered, and the goal is a faster adoption of the best health and medical practices to benefit the public at large.
The Rutgers Translational Research will be the largest component in the building, with 240,000 square feet of space. Translational research space including vivarium, core facilities, dry lab space for twenty principal investigators (PIs), wet lab space for sixty PIs, and associated research support space will be located on four floors - three of them stacked together with communicating stairs and collaboration space linking the floors, and the vivarium as the top floor of the structure.
The Robert Wood Johnson Medical School will be housed in 201,000 square feet located in four floors immediately above the Rutgers translational research space and will provide classroom space for first and second-year medical students as well as meeting and study space for third and fourth-year students. The new academic space will allow for delivery of all four years of medical education in one location, immediately adjacent to the translational research facility, and within walking distance of the hospital and other healthcare buildings. Academic space including clinical skills and simulation labs, student amenity space, and anatomy lab space will be located in the building.
The New Jersey Innovation Hub, comprising 133,000 square feet over four floors in the building, will provide laboratory, meeting, innovation, and office space for entrepreneurs and burgeoning firms as well as office space for Core Partners in the Hub on three high floors. The ground floor flex, food service, makerspace, and social spaces provide for meeting locations and uses that support the occupants of the building and invite and connect with the public.
“This project will dramatically enhance medical education, research, and collaborative innovation at the university, while cultivating research partnerships in New Jersey,” said Berman. “It will have a significant positive impact on the state’s innovation economy.”
IP&O’s Planning, Development, and Design vice president, Dave Schulz noted that “The HELIX is truly deserving of this recognition. IP&O has been involved in this project for over five years, and the collaborative and dedicated effort of Rutgers, New Brunswick Development Corporation, and the State of New Jersey has resulted in a significant win for the university, the city, and the people of New Jersey. The HELIX envisions tomorrow.”
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tony Calcado reflected upon the remarkable support for this project. “If it weren’t for the unwavering support of Governor Phil Murphy and other leaders in the state, this project would still be just an idea and some renderings. Because of investment by the state and the NJ Economic Development Authority, as well as support from President Holloway and our Boards, and a clear vision for bolstering the state’s innovation economy, construction is right around the corner.”
This was the Alliance’s 12th annual New Jersey’s Leading Construction Projects event. The awards breakfast was held on February 16 at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, NJ.
