MISSION CRITICAL FACILITIES
Is your building's performance supporting your business goals?
Clients with mission critical facilities require them to perform optimally.
Mission critical buildings are specialized facilities designed to house essential operations that must continue uninterrupted. These include data centers, hospitals, research labs and any other structure where operational downtime is not an option.
Constructing mission critical facilities requires meticulous planning and specialized knowledge in areas such as redundancy, resilience and robust security measures. For instance, the design must account for redundant power and cooling systems, fire protection and advanced security. Without these critical design elements, such buildings risk failure in times of high demand or emergency situations.
Cornerstone understands that the best approach is to engage with your mission critical project teams, beginning with design and continuing through to occupancy. It is this early involvement that positions a team to successfully deliver finely-tuned systems with optimal operation.
Expertise and Areas of Focus
“Mission critical” is a term that can apply to buildings within a variety of industries. Our commissioning team understands the specific nuances of biosafety and biocontainment facilities, sensitive instrument labs, research facilities focused on life sciences, patient care facilities, vivaria, engineering and manufacturing plants, high-security government structures, document storage / data centers and historical archives. We have the skills needed to ensure your facility functions as designed, so it can be used as intended from the get-go and into the future.
Cornerstone Commissioning brings extensive experience to mission critical construction projects, positioning itself as a leading partner in the industry. Our team’s deep expertise in commissioning these highly sensitive environments makes us a trusted choice for top institutions and corporations alike.
Over the years, Cornerstone Commissioning has successfully completed several high-profile projects that exemplify our capabilities and commitment to excellence. Some notable projects include:
Cygnal Therapeutics – 325 Vassar Street
At Cygnal Therapeutics’ facility on Vassar Street, Cornerstone Commissioning played a critical role in ensuring that the research labs and specialized spaces met rigorous operational standards. This project involved creating a controlled, reliable environment to support scientific research, with a focus on the precise commissioning of HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems.
Iowa State University – Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center
Located in Ames, Iowa, the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital at Iowa State University underwent a significant expansion as part of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s phased development plan. Cornerstone Commissioning served as the Commissioning Authority (CxA) for the hospital’s Phase II expansion, which added over 17,000 square feet of new space and renovated more than 88,000 square feet of the existing structure, achieving LEED Gold certification.
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, MD, recently expanded with a new 64,000-square-foot addition to the existing Mathias Laboratory, along with over 20,000 square feet of renovated space. This project aimed to centralize research activities, offering flexible laboratory and support spaces with future growth potential.
Cornerstone Commissioning was integral in commissioning the lab’s advanced systems, which included HVAC, mechanical, building automation (BAS), electrical and plumbing systems, as well as interfaces for life safety and fire alarm functions.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Building 66
Following extensive water damage from a burst high-pressure steam pipe, MIT’s Building 66 in Cambridge required a thorough evaluation to determine the building’s viability and lifespan. MIT engaged Cornerstone Commissioning to assess the chemical engineering building’s current condition and evaluate strategies to extend its operational life.
The project presented a unique challenge: completing a comprehensive assessment while minimizing disruptions to the building’s active research and academic functions. Cornerstone’s team managed over 200 immediate issues with minimal impact on daily operations through carefully scheduled testing and targeted solutions.
Each of these projects has equipped Cornerstone Commissioning with a deeper understanding of the varied and precise requirements needed to maintain operational integrity within mission critical facilities. Our commitment to excellence in mission critical construction projects means that we work alongside clients to understand and deliver solutions tailored to their unique operational needs.