IPS and Landmark Builders' Clean Room Excellence in South San Francisco
The fight against cancer is more than just a battle of wills; it's a race against time to develop state-of-the-art facilities that can support groundbreaking research and manufacturing. One such project is the clean room renovation in South San Francisco, executed with precision and expertise by Landmark Builders, and designed by IPS.
A confidential biotech company, which is pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment with its innovative therapies, required an environment as advanced as its research. Landmark Builders stepped up to the challenge, transforming one level of an existing building into a high-tech hub for manufacturer of cancer treatments.
A Vision for Innovation
The transformation of this space was no small feat. The design firm, IPS - Integrated Project Services, had to integrate cutting-edge technology and meticulous design to create a facility that meets the stringent requirements of biotech research and manufacturing. From automated doors that minimize contamination risk to meticulously designed corridors and small rooms, every detail was considered.
Due to the efficient use of space laid out by the designers, for the photography, I leaned heavily on an ultra-wide tilt-shift lens for capturing the intricate layout and the seamless integration of technology and design.
Designing for Precision and Cleanliness
Clean rooms are vital for maintaining the integrity of biotech research. They are designed to limit the introduction, generation, and retention of particles inside the space. For this project, Landmark Builders ensured that every aspect of the clean room adhered to these high standards.
Automated doors were installed to reduce physical contact, thus minimizing contamination. The layout, like a deliberate maze of small rooms connected by corridors, required precise planning and execution to ensure each area served its purpose without compromising on cleanliness.
Strategic Use of Technology in Construction
The use of technology was a cornerstone of this project. Landmark Builders, with their trade partners like Pan Pacific Mechanical and Howell Electric, leveraged advanced construction techniques to ensure the facility met the highest standards. The clean rooms feature state-of-the-art systems for air filtration, temperature control, and humidity regulation, all crucial for maintaining an optimal environment for research.
Behind the Scenes: Capturing the Transformation
Documenting the transformation of this facility required specialized equipment and expertise. The use of an ultra-wide tilt-shift lens allowed us to capture the extensive layout of compact spaces accurately. I called on an assistant to help manage lighting, block reflections, and even stand in as a model, dressed in full clean room garb.
Since the project was designed with large amounts of interior glass to ensure visibility between spaces and allow communication and oversight across the various manufacturing workrooms, reflections were abundant. While the average person in a space might not notice reflections in glass, they can be a real distraction in photographs.
I used a few techniques to eliminate or lessen the distracting quality of reflections:
Attaching a polarizing filter to my lens. Sometimes, maybe 30% of the time, this filter can miraculously zap relections out of the picture. When it doesn’t, I lean on other techniques.
In the main image above, originally, reflections covered the two windows. We turned off the corridor lights, leaving the lights on in the workroom beyond the windows, and captured a frame. Since the corridor lights were off, there was nothing to cause reflections on the windows. We captured another frame with the corridor lights on. In Photoshop, I painted in the “clear” reflection-less glass.
Black cloth: very effective technique for blocking reflections. We just block the light source with a big black cloth, taking multiple frames if necessary to later remove evidence of anyone standing in the frame holding a black cloth.
A Future-Ready Facility
The successful transformation of this space into cutting-edge clean rooms sets a new standard in biotech facility construction. Landmark Builders' expertise and attention to detail have resulted in a facility that not only meets but exceeds industry standards. This project underscores the importance of having a state-of-the-art environment to support the groundbreaking work being done in the fight against cancer.
Setting New Standards
IPS and Landmark Builders’ clean room project in South San Francisco is a testament to their commitment to excellence and innovation. By transforming an existing building into a state-of-the-art facility, they have created an environment that will support critical research and development in the biotech field. This project not only highlights the technical and design expertise of Landmark Builders but also sets a new benchmark for future biotech facility constructions.
Key Takeaways from the Article
Landmark Builders transformed one floor of an existing building into advanced clean rooms for a confidential biotech company in South San Francisco.
The clean rooms feature state-of-the-art systems including automated doors, air filtration, temperature control, and humidity regulation.
The project highlights the importance of precision and cleanliness in biotech research environments.
Advanced technology and meticulous design were crucial in meeting the stringent requirements of biotech research.
The use of an ultra-wide tilt-shift lens was essential in capturing the intricate layout and design of the clean rooms.
Various tricks are needed to manage reflections in glass surfaces to ensure professional quality architectural images.