See photos of the completed renovations below.
Earlier this year, a renovation to the 8th and 9th floors of the McCallum (MCLM) Basic Health Science building was completed. Located at the northwest corner of 20th St. S and University Blvd., the building is home to groundbreaking research at UAB and houses scientists from the School of Medicine.
The process began in 2016 with a feasibility study. Funding was secured through University Bonds and School of Medicine operating dollars, and the 8th and 9th floors were completed in a two-year time frame, including commissioning in June of 2020. After design and construction were complete, it then took two months to move in the assigned investigators, which was challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. The renovation included a transition to an open lab format, which has been well-received among occupants of the space. The building now boasts access to light, large support spaces, and separating write-up spaces into a collaborative office environment.
Kevin Bell, executive director of Project Management in the School of Medicine, says, “We would like to thank all the faculty, trainees, and staff for their patience and help with this process, as well as the Departments and occupants that have been relocated and affected by the bustle of construction for Phase 1, Phase 2, and the exterior.”
The next planned changes are underway with floors 2-7 of MCLM. Floors 5-7 are currently in schematic design. “We gathered comments and recommendations from the 8th and 9th floor occupants, and also received ideas from the new design team. For floors 5-7 (Phase 2), this will include increasing storage and laboratory support spaces. Huddle and collaborative areas will also see improved layouts and amenities,” Bell states.
“We have gathered comments and recommendations from the 8th and 9th floor occupants, and also received ideas from the new design team. This will include increasing storage and laboratory support spaces. Huddle and collaborative areas will also see improved layouts and amenities,” Bell states.
Victor Darley-Usmar, Ph.D., associate dean of research, and Tika Benveniste, Ph.D., senior vice dean of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, express that “The MCLM renovation has provided state-of-the-art wet lab space for research teams from many SOM departments. The new space encourages collaborative interactions, which will propel our research excellence to the next level.”
Final renovations are expected to be complete between the fall seasons of 2022 and 2023.
