Wise Construction recently completed a 12,000 SF renovation for Boston Children’s Hospital, transforming a research space located within the Center for Life Science building. The project created a modernized environment that bridges life sciences and healthcare, reflecting our commitment to supporting groundbreaking research and therapies that ultimately shape patient care.
The transformation introduced state-of-the-art labs, including Tissue Culture rooms, microscope rooms, equipment rooms, and other critical lab support areas, alongside 21 single offices and additional support spaces. These environments were designed to enhance workflows to accommodate the hospital’s evolving research needs.
A critical component of the renovation was upgrading the floor’s MEP systems. Many of the current systems were built with redundancies to support prior research, which required careful modifications and eventual relocation. To meet modern standards, the infrastructure was reimagined to support automation and provide a future-ready foundation for the Boston Children’s Hospital’s research efforts.
Executing this project in an active research building demanded extensive planning from our field team. The second floor posed unique challenges, including its design as a bridge over the loading dock. Work outside required maintaining precise temperature controls to avoid freezing pipes, which we achieved by using plywood patches with 2” hard insulation. Off-hours work was scheduled to accommodate the loading dock’s daytime activity.
Additionally, part of the lab operated with a single pump system for lab waste, which needed an upgraded automation system. Our team introduced high-flow sensors and leak detection mechanisms to alert the facility’s engineering team and stop pumping immediately in case of high flow, ensuring reliable and safe waste management.
The renovation also involved relocating overhead carrier services to align with the new lab design, which called for repurposing some existing lab benches. These benches presented unique challenges as the overhead utilities—power, gases, and connections—were configured for one side only. Our team carefully mapped and reassembled the heavy, old-style utilities, supported by unit struts, to meet the specific layout needs of the new benches.
Running the new plumbing lines between the floors above and below and performing demolition were scheduled during off-hours to minimize impact. Logistical challenges, including managing deliveries through a single loading dock while coordinating with neighboring tenants, were addressed through strategic communication.
“This renovation required balancing the specific needs of the labs with the complexities of working in a fully operational building. It was a testament to our ability to problem solve while maintaining the integrity of the research environment,” noted Project Executive, Andrew Cacciola.
Project Partners:
Boston Children’s Hospital
Isgenuity, LLC
BR+A Consulting Engineers
R.W. Sullivan Engineering
Wise Project Team:
Project Executive: Andrew Cacciola
Assistant Project Manager: Gustavo Costa
Superintendent: Daniel Iwano
Superintendent: John Keefe
SVP/Estimator: Jason Hartford
Photography: Richard Gayle Photography
