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Biologics Regulation and ResearchThe People and Work of Buildings 29 & 29A

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Building 29A Overview

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Building 29A Front (north) Elevation

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Building 29A was always intended as an annex of additional space for Building 29, and the two functioned as a complex for biologics research and regulation. Much like Building 29, Building 29A is lacking in architectural ornament and focuses instead on the functionality and utility of the space. This was common for government and institutional buildings in the early 1960s and reflected the tight budgets and timelines for construction. Building 29A differs from Building 29 in terms of floor plan and in the large amount of glazing on the exterior. Building 29A retains its physical integrity and still conveys its 1960s modern design plan and the laboratory functions for which it is known.

Architect/Engineer:

Smith Hinchman & Grylls Associates (Detroit, MI)

Builder, contractor, suppliers:

Public Building Services of the General Services Administration (GSA) administered the contracts, under the direction of Bernard L. Boutin. George Hyman Construction Co. served as the general contractor. W.G. Cornell Co. was the mechanical subcontractor, with E.C. Ernst, Inc. serving as the electrical subcontractor.

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Building 29A had a different floor plan and design from Building 29 and most other lab buildings at NIH. Instead of a central corridor, there was an exterior corridor around the entire perimeter of the building and then two smaller cross corridors. Labs faced the interior of the building and were shielded from light, heat, and noise from outdoors. A utility core behind each hallway allowed for this configuration and brought electric, plumbing, gas, etc. to the labs. Air intake towers, located in the median of the parking area in front of the building, provided clean air for the mechanical system, while a high velocity exhaust air system was placed on the roof to ensure dilution and dispersion of laboratory and vivarium exhaust air.

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Utility cores are in blue, cross corridors are in red, and the perimeter corridor is in yellow on Building 29A First Floor Plan. 

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NIH Office of Research Facilities 1964

Building 29B

Building 29B was constructed from 1993 to 1994 as additional space for the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). It is connected to Building 29A by pedestrian bridges at three levels and at the basement level.

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