Projects

Science and Technology Case Studies

University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ's ICPH
University Heights Science Park
Newark, New Jersey

The new International Center for Public Health (ICPH) is a major biomedical research center developed as a build-to-suit by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) in Newark, New Jersey. Situated in the University Heights Science Park area of the city, the facility was built by the EDA for the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

The 160,000-square-foot lab’s primary tenant is the Public Health Research Institute, which relocated from Manhattan. ICPH is also home to the New Jersey State Medical School Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at UMDNJ; The New Jersey Medical School National Tuberculosis Center at UMDNJ; and the Newark Public Health Program at Science Park. The project has brought together a team of researchers and scientists dedicated to understanding and solving the infectious disease problems that currently face people throughout the world.

ICPH is comprised of two five-story wings flanking a central entry courtyard and a three-story glass-walled atrium. Within its impressive façade there are clinics, laboratories, educational facilities, BL2/BL3 containment labs, and other specialized support spaces. Tenant spaces are isolated from each other yet share common areas and support services.

Princeton-based CUH2A provided design for the project, while Torcon was construction manager. The project was completed and occupied on time and was recognized as a winner of R&D Magazine’s Lab of the Year.

Torcon and CUH2A also collaborated with UMDNJ on a 30,000 sq. ft. addition to ICPH. The new facility created one of the nation’s thirteen Regional Biocontainment Labs (RBL). Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, RBL are comprehensive state-of-the-art laboratories that support biodefense and emerging infectious diseases research. RBLs are members of the national and regional Biodefense Network and must be available and prepared to assist national, state, and local public health efforts in the event of a bioterrorism emergency. The new facility in Newark features labs with various levels of containment, including BSL-3, ABSL-3 and ABSL-2 spaces.