HEALTH & SCIENCE

Insulet, an innovative medical device company dedicated to simplifying life for people with diabetes, needed to convert existing office space in its corporate headquarters into a new wet lab to help meet the demand for its Omnipod Insulin Management System. Vantage built two distinct lab areas: a product manufacturing and testing lab and a development lab for designing new groundbreaking products. The labs are separated by half-inch, double-layer surgical glass with stainless steel framing. Due to the sensitive nature of Insulet’s work, the lab areas are fully secure, requiring card key access to enter from the office area and a higher level of clearance to enter the development lab. The lab spaces feature fume hoods to ensure particulate control during the techs’ critical work, a compressed air system, ovens, high workstation areas, and metal cabinetry. The project involved significant HVAC work, particularly with the fume hood system that required stainless steel ductwork. The Vantage team successfully connected the rigid ducting from the second floor lab to vent out the roof of the four-story building. In addition to the wet lab, which has room for approximately 40 Insulet technicians, the Vantage team also built out an office area with cubicles for 30-40 employees, three private offices and a kitchen area. Insulet had two critical requirements for the project’s successful completion: minimize disruption and a tight deadline. To reduce any construction impact on Insulet’s busy corporate headquarters, the Vantage team employed comprehensive noise and dust mitigation solutions and held to strict schedules, with areas cleaned by 8am for Insulet’s workers to get their day started. The Vantage team managed a large group of subcontractors, coordinated schedules and worked with the town’s inspection team, hitting Insulet’s eight-week project deadline.

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BioAgilytix provides clinical research support to the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical industries, enabling scientific innovators to develop and deliver game-changing biologic innovations. The company required immediate expansion of its laboratory space at its Boston headquarters, to help the company respond to requests for its services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vantage worked closely with BioAgilytix and Phillips Architecture to convert adjacent office space, expanding the lab footprint by 3000 SF. The lab features new casework, new air distribution systems, a cold room, and flooring that is slip, chemical and abrasion resistant. The project included installation of all new MEP services with two new rooftop units; one unit serves the new PCR Amplification Room and the other serves existing lab spaces. An environmental cold room was installed in the lab space, complete with its own controls, refrigeration system and condensing unit. Vantage Builders ensured that there were no interruptions to BioAgilytix’ operations, with considerable off-hour work. The team also created and maintained critical barriers and stringent containment for dust mitigation and the prevention of air infiltration from the construction area into the occupied space. Vantage Builders separated power demands of existing operations from construction, to ensure the lab’s power was not affected by construction activity. The project also included the renovation of 4800 SF of office space in an adjacent building that BioAgilytix leases from Harvard University.

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Peabody, MA | 26,000 SF | Shepley Bulfinch

Vantage Builders completed North Shore Physicians Group's new internal medicine, endocrinology and gastroenterology center at 2 Corporation Way in Peabody, MA. Vantage converted NSPG’s existing 17,000 SF office area on the first floor into new, high-end medical office space. The project included significant plumbing, HVAC, electrical and drywall work. The reception area features custom millwork, glass, corian counters, and ample lighting. Vantage built 26 exam rooms and six consultation rooms for NSPG staff to meet with patients. The HVAC work included reinforcing the roof structure prior to installing the 40- and 50-ton rooftop units by crane, as well as ductwork throughout. Vantage installed hospital grade electrical cabling and back-up service to ensure no loss of electrical service, to support, for example, the refrigeration units storing vaccines and other medicines. NSPG also expanded into the second floor of building, occupying an additional 9,000 SF of space, which Vantage renovated into 20 administrative offices, open office space and a large Innovation Room for training and meetings, with large video monitor and programmable lighting. The project team included Clifford & Galvin Contracting (drywall), CMTA (consulting engineer), Facilico (electrical), Kessler Metal, Shepley Bulfinch (architect), and Souza, True, and Partners (structural engineer).

Brockton, MA | 20,000 SF | Annino Inc.

Apothecare Inc., a compounding pharmacy that has become one of the area’s largest pharmacy providers for residential programs, assisted living communities, and hospice, hired Vantage Builders to complete the buildout of its primary location in Brockton. The project included work in the compounding lab, significant mechanical and site work. Vantage installed epoxy flooring in the large, 2800-SF pharmacy area, as well as the robotic prescription machines used to complete orders. The mechanical work included new rooftop HVAC units, backup generator and electrical service. Vantage installed an ADA-compliant chairlift for Apothecare’s customers and employees and completed high-end finishes throughout the space. The site work included landscaping and restoration of the parking area.

Salem, MA | 7,500 SF | HAI Architecture

Vantage Builders transformed a former Emergency Department into a new vein and phlebotomy center at the North Shore Medical Center Salem campus. Given the nature of the work being done, proper floorplan layout and equipment placement were critical to the success of the project. Vantage Builders met with a team of end users that included doctors and nurses on the vein and phlebotomy team to ensure that their needs were met. The center consists of multiple exam rooms, lab space and infusion areas. Four new exam bays were created and outfitted with medical equipment including CO2, oxygen, and Medical Vacuum. Existing bays were expanded to provide a more accessible atmosphere for patient care. Vantage also prepped two future operating rooms with lead-lined walls to ensure that they would be safe for X-ray procedures. The project included heavy plumbing work, requiring 19 individual cores to be drilled into the lower floor for a new draining station. Importantly, work was completed during off-hours so as to not disrupt the office space below.

Hudson, NH | 7,200 SF | Dennis Mires PA, The Architects 

Lowell Road Veterinary Center hired Vantage Builders to build its new clinic after outgrowing its original, nearby location. Vantage followed a design-build approach for the ground-up construction project, directing both the design and construction phases. This approach helped to shorten the schedule and streamline the process, while the ground-up construction provided the team with greater flexibility in the design, compared to renovating an existing facility. Patients of LRVC, and their human companions, are greeted in an open reception area that is bright and welcoming. The center features five examination rooms (with separate exam rooms for dogs and cats), areas for diagnostics and treatment, and a state-of-the-art surgery room. In the Rehabilitation Center, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioners help speed dogs’ rehabilitation after injury or surgery. The clinic features all new building systems, including electrical, lighting, plumbing and HVAC, to ensure a comfortable environment. External work on the site included new parking lot, abundant lighting and beautiful landscaping. 

Dorchester, MA | 1,200 SF |  Moebius Architects

Upham’s Corner Health Center (UCHC) provides quality health and social services to the residents of North Dorchester and adjacent neighborhoods. The Center hired Vantage Builders to renovate its facility, to create a more welcoming environment for its clientele and help improve productivity for staff. Clients are greeted in a newly expanded, modernized reception area featuring abundant lighting, new millwork and vibrant colors, partnered with new flooring, that warm up the space. The Center’s staff feel energized by the new collaborative atmosphere and renovated offices located on the upper floors, with all-new finishes and updated tel/data communications.

Woburn, MA | 11,000 SF | McGuinness Group

Vantage Builders completed the renovation of a new location of Diplomat Specialty Infusion Group.  The new 11,000-square-foot location includes a cleanroom, offices and a pharmacy.  A highlight of the project is the construction of a new, state-of-the-art cleanroom for Diplomat to prepare its products. The 1,000-square-foot cleanroom is USP 797 compliant, a designation from the United States Pharmacopeia governing facilities where compound sterile preparations are prepared, stored, and dispensed.  Vantage installed a new 125KW emergency diesel generator for backup to the entire facility.

Stoneham, MA | 2,000 SF | Nilsson + Siden Associates

The In-Med project involved substantial electrical, mechanical and structural upgrades. Vantage was challenged to develop a new MRI unit without disrupting the operation of the existing MRI facility. Steel shielding was incorporated into new wall structures to contain the electromagnetic field within the new unit. Additional hospital grade finishes and construction help to create a functional yet comfortable environment for patients and staff.

Rowley, MA | 12,800 SF | Shelpley Bulfinch

Vantage Builders completed the build-out of North Shore Physicians Group’s Rowley, MA office, at 414 Haverhill Street. The office offers primary and specialty care, as well as x-ray, mammography and bone density testing, for patients in Rowley and the surrounding communities. The 12,800-SF project was designed by architects Shepley Bulfinch, with a focus on creating an atmosphere that is both relaxing and inviting for patients and efficient for doctors, nurses and staff. Vantage built 20 exam rooms, an x-ray room with lead-lined walls and three offices with an open concept for NSPG staff. There is a consultation room and three conference rooms for larger discussions, as well as rooms for bone density, mammography, and phlebotomy testing.Vantage conducted significant systems work, including underground plumbing, installation of a complete HVAC system with ductwork, and fire protection sprinklers. New sheet vinyl flooring was installed and finish work included custom millwork, paint and decorative glass, all designed to reflect NSPG’s branding.