UCLA Factor 9-240 Laboratory Renovation
Los Angeles, CA | 3,300 SF | Completed 2025
Project Details
Location: Los Angeles, California
Project Type: Tenant Improvement
Scope: Science Laboratory Renovation
Area: 3,330 SF
Construction Cost: $1,500,000
Completion: 2025
Services
Architectural Design
Design Coordination
Construction Administration
Key Personnel
Christopher Lewis, AIA — Design Partner
Key Challenges / Objectives
- Aging infrastructure
- Inflexible casework
- Poor daylight
- Accessibility upgrades
- Outdated lighting
Project Overview
UCLA’s Factor building was built in 1981 and a number of floors, such as the 9th floor, which hadn’t been renovated since it was first occupied, are beginning to show their age.
The renovation for the open lab in Suite 9-240 addresses a number of issues that had impacted the space for years. Existing equipment, including an autoclave and two hoods needed service in order to bring them into usable condition. The existing lab benches were “built-in,” were not easily modified, and they featured darker wood paneling, which made it difficult for daylight to reach interior areas of the lab. Finally, the old light fixtures and finishes were all well beyond their natural service life and needed to be replaced.
Besides the necessary equipment service, which also included accessibility improvements to the existing hoods, the single biggest upgrade to the lab space was the new bench layout, which was based on all-new benches by OC River. These new benches are constructed of a black powder-coated metal frame, infilled with light-colored wood paneling, which allows significantly greater transparency throughout the lab. Besides promoting greater collaboration between researchers, the added transparency also permits a great deal more natural daylight to reach all corners of the open lab.
New, energy efficient LED up/down pendant lighting and a new suspended ceiling also help create the lighter feel of the space. The open lab also received all new finishes, and new laboratory equipment, including incubators, lab refrigerators, biosafety cabinets, and ducted hoods.
Project Gallery
