Showcase Projects
Celera Genomics Corporation DNA Sequencing Facility and Data Center

Client/Owner
Celera Genomics Corporation

Location
Rockville, Maryland

Architect
Burr Computer Environments, Inc.

Engineer
RMF Engineering, Inc.

General Contractor
The Poole and Kent Corporation

Contract Amount
$21,940,648

The Project
Celera Genomics Corporation made history in 2000 by becoming the first scientific research firm to successfully map the human genome. This accomplishment can be attributed to Celera Genomics Corporation and Compaq Computer's combined effort to collaborate a data gathering and developing facility capable of processing vast amounts of raw data into usable scientific information. The Celera Complex is the second largest privately owned computer facility in the world. Celera's explosive research with the human genome required an expansion of their data center and the installation of a new DNA Sequencing Facility.

PK Role
Serving as both the general contractor and the mechanical contractor, Poole and Kent was involved in the design/build team for this extremely fast track project. The facilities improvements included in Poole and Kent's scope of work, included: a DNA sequencing laboratory with 300 Perkin-Elmer 3,700 sequencers; wet labs, proteomics labs, tenant renovation; and cafeteria upgrades. The data center located on the first floor of the facility was completed simultaneous to the infrastructure upgrades mentioned above. To service the data center, Poole and Kent also completed an Uninterruptible Power Supply facility, which included (2) 2,000kw diesel generators with 6,000-gallon fuel storage tanks. Fire protection upgrades were also required for the data center to ensure lifetime protection of the computer framework.

Highlights/Challenges
The employees of the Celera Genomics Corporation occupied the facility throughout the entire duration of Poole and Kent's contract. It was necessary to coordinate all construction around the occupants of the facility while maintaining adherence to the project schedule. Our Project Team took the lead with design and coordination issues to bring swift resolutions to potential time delaying matters. This aggressive coordination effort produced an on time and quality project for the Celera Genomics Corporation.

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