June 26, 2008
UW research complex opens at South Lake Union
Collaboration and creativity are at the heart of the new UW Medicine at South Lake Union complex of buildings. By locating seemingly disparate entities such as Cardiovascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine and the Diabetes and Obesity Center of Excellence, UW Medicine leaders and researchers hope to generate new, innovative research.
“The completion of this second phase of UW Medicine’s new lab building allows us to consolidate some critically important research activities in a new state-of-the-art facility,” said Dr. Paul Ramsey, CEO of UW Medicine and dean of the School of Medicine. “This type of collaborative research environment presents tremendous opportunities for scientists across multiple disciplines.”
Over the last few months, UW Medicine employees from several offices, departments, labs and research institutes have packed their files in boxes, purged old papers, organized excess office supplies for pick-up by surplus and removed artwork from the walls. Department moves will occur primarily in June, with the lab moves occurring in August and September.
Vulcan Inc. and UW Medicine announced earlier this month the completion of the second phase of UW Medicine’s research hub in what’s become one of Seattle’s fastest-growing neighborhoods. The second phase, located at 815 Mercer, includes a 170,000-square-foot laboratory building as well as an 86,000-square-foot office building.
The project brings almost 950 UW Medicine scientists and employees to the new buildings, including a laboratory building that will house the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the Center for Lung Biology, the Diabetes & Obesity Center of Excellence, and a proposed Mitochondria and Metabolism Center run by the Department of Anesthesiology. The administration building will house UW Medicine departments such as Development, News, Community Relations & Marketing, and UW Medicine Compliance, along with School of Medicine units such as Research and Graduate Education and Clinical Research Budget & Billing Support.
A move of this size is no small feat, given the number of employees moving and range of available facilities to get office-ready. Staff members have been attending meetings over the last several months, discussing topics such as parking, transportation and paper management systems for cubicles.
Departments that will be sharing floors — UW Medicine Development, for example, and News, Community Relations & Marketing — have also held “getting to know you” sessions to meet new neighbors and discuss office norms.
Jill Morelli, director of facilities for the dean of medicine, is leading the process.
“An effort of this magnitude would not have been possible without a great construction and development team to provide a great work environment and a great move management team to coordinate,” Morelli said. “We are consolidating people from 10 locations around the Seattle metropolitan area and already we are seeing the benefit in improved processes and communication between groups where work flow intersects. Beside that, it’s an enjoyable place to work.”
Offices, departments, research centers and institutes located at UW Medicine at South Lake Union:
• UW Medicine Development
• Health Sciences/UW Medicine News ,Community Relations & Marketing
• School of Medicine Administration and Finance
• Research and Graduate Education (RGE)
• Clinical Research Budget & Billing Support (CRBB)
• UW Medicine Compliance
• School of Medicine Information Technology
• School of Medicine Office of Facilities
• Laboratory Medicine
• Lung Biology
• Cardiovascular Biology & Regenerative Medicine
• Translational Medicine in Women’s Health
• Allergy and Inflammation
• Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine
• Anesthesiology
• Diabetes and Obesity Center of Excellence
• Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center
