Fitzemeyer & Tocci provided full MEP/FP engineering design and construction administration services for the renovation of a 33,000 SF former factory, converting it into high-risk laboratory spaces for Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). This off-campus facility was designed to support cutting-edge research while ensuring the highest standards of safety and flexibility.

The project began with stripping the factory down to its core and shell, followed by the installation of a robust infrastructure capable of accommodating future lab fit-outs. The initial phase included the development of offices, a loading dock, water treatment facilities, and hazardous waste storage areas. Two completed laboratory fit-outs incorporated multiple explosion safety measures, including specially designed exterior walls engineered to crumple outward, minimizing potential damage within the building.

Looking ahead, two additional labs are planned for fit-out, with a significant portion of shell space reserved for future expansion. This transformation ensures WPI has the flexibility to support evolving research needs while maintaining a safe, adaptable, and state-of-the-art laboratory environment.