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Expert Design-Build Services for Life Sciences Facilities

Bring complex life sciences projects from vision to validated operation with Hixson’s integrated architecture, engineering, and project delivery expertise. From laboratories and cGMP manufacturing suites to biotech, biologics, and clean utility infrastructure, our in-house disciplines coordinate early decisions, reduce project risk, and support compliant, efficient facilities built for scientific progress.

Life sciences design-build team reviewing cleanroom facility plans

Our Design-Build Services

Integrated planning, architecture, engineering, and delivery support for advanced life sciences and regulated facility environments.

Pharma & Biotech

Design and engineering for cGMP spaces, including oral solid dose, biologics, vaccines, controlled environments, clean utilities, HVAC, pressurization, and documentation supporting validation from URS through construction administration.

Laboratory Design

Flexible R&D, QA/QC, analytical, pilot plant, and BSL-rated laboratory environments planned with appropriate HVAC, casework, fume hoods, lab gases, DI water, offices, and support amenities.

Aseptic Processing

cGMP facility design for sterile fill/finish, vialing, prefilled syringes, ophthalmics, biologics, isolators, RABS, ISO Class 5 critical zones, environmental monitoring, and Annex 1 alignment.

Cell & Gene

Specialized facility planning for viral vector production, CAR-T, plasmid DNA, CRISPR, autologous and allogeneic therapies, cleanrooms, single-use equipment, BSL-2 containment, and clean utilities.

Biologics Facilities

Integrated upstream, downstream, fill/finish, lyophilization, cleanroom HVAC, pressurization, biosafety containment, and validation-support documentation for mAbs, vaccines, recombinant proteins, and biosimilars.

Modular cGMP

Design and engineering for modular cleanroom systems, skid-mounted process units, and flexible tenant cGMP fit-outs that support speed-to-market, regulatory predictability, and adaptable production capacity.

Engineering team coordinating life sciences facility construction plans

Our Integrated Design-Build Process

Define Requirements and Project Drivers

Hixson begins by aligning stakeholders around user requirements, production goals, regulatory expectations, budget priorities, and schedule drivers. Early definition helps establish the basis for cGMP zones, lab typologies, clean utilities, process needs, and project delivery strategy.

Plan the Facility and Systems

Coordinate Design and Documentation

Support Construction and Procurement

Assist Startup and Commissioning

Trusted By Leaders

Proven Project Experience

Hixson supports recognized science, technology, food, beverage, and workplace clients across complex facility programs.

"Very cool place with nice employees."

RaiderGreg
RaiderGreg

"Love it."

Zachary Waas
Zachary Waas

"Great Group of people. Thank You for supporting Special Olympics!"

Rebekah Travis
Rebekah Travis

"Very cool place with nice employees."

RaiderGreg
RaiderGreg

"Love it."

Zachary Waas
Zachary Waas

"Great Group of people. Thank You for supporting Special Olympics!"

Rebekah Travis
Rebekah Travis

"Very cool place with nice employees."

RaiderGreg
RaiderGreg

"Love it."

Zachary Waas
Zachary Waas

"Great Group of people. Thank You for supporting Special Olympics!"

Rebekah Travis
Rebekah Travis
The Hixson Difference

Why Choose Hixson?

Hixson brings integrated expertise, long-standing experience, and disciplined project delivery to complex life sciences facilities.

75+ Years

Deep facility knowledge built since 1948 across regulated, technical, and mission-critical environments.

Integrated Disciplines

Twenty in-house technical disciplines coordinate architecture, engineering, cost, and construction administration.

Sector Expertise

Focused experience in Science & Technology, Pharma & Biotech, laboratories, and advanced manufacturing.

Risk Reduction

Specialized planning, documentation, and project management help reduce compliance and delivery risk.

Meet the Hixson Team

Experienced leaders guide complex facility programs from concept to completion.

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John Brockmeier P.E.

Manager, Plumbing Systems & Fire Protection Engineering

John oversees the department responsible for the design and engineering of plumbing systems and fire protection engineering for a variety of project types, including new construction, building utility upgrades, utility capacity analyses, and process line additions. John and his team work with a range of systems, including domestic water, process water, hot water production, direct contact water heaters, high pressure/rinse water, compressed air, natural gas, sanitary drainage, process drainage, central sanitation systems, fire pumps, and fire sprinkler systems.

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Craig Cheevers

Manager, Controls & Automation Engineering

As the Manager of Hixson's Controls & Automation department, Craig guides the team responsible for designing, implementing, and commissioning advanced control systems and automation solutions. His responsibilities include overseeing the development of automation strategies that streamline manufacturing processes, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure seamless integration of new and existing systems.

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Warren Green, P.E.

Manager, Process Engineering

Warren leads the team providing processing design services, process optimization studies, and process commissioning and FAT, SAT, and IQ activities. He advises on waste, energy, and GHG emissions reductions, and conducts safety and dust evaluations, including PSM/HAZOP. His expertise spans all food and beverage sectors including fluid, dried and cultured dairy products, processed meat, flavors, and prepared foods. Warren is also on the IDFA Food Safety Committee and actively participates in the 3A, SSI steering committee, and work groups.

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Steve Guyer, P.E.

Manager, Civil Engineering

In his role as Manager of Civil Engineering, Steve leads the team responsible for the planning, design, and engineering of roads, stormwater hydraulics and modeling, and onsite utilities. On project work, Steve is responsible for civil site project design, specifications, technical design, and project coordination with the client, government regulatory bodies, outside consultants, and contractors. As a senior staff member with our firm, Steve also serves as a mentor to newer associates.

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Chris Jarc, P.E., PMP, LEED AP

Vice President & Director, Project Management Services

Chris, a Hixson officer and member of the Board of Directors, oversees Hixson’s Project Management, Cost Estimating, and Construction Administration departments. Chris also serves in a project management role, leading teams consisting of representatives from the client, Hixson, contractors, and vendors to effective project completion. Chris assumes overall responsibility for development of project delivery strategies, coordination of all Hixson disciplines, and facilitating effective communication and management to focus resources on delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget.

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Dave Klenk

Manager, Mechanical Engineering

Dave brings more than three decades of experience to his role as the Manager of Hixson’s Mechanical Engineering Department. His work has included the design and project management of new facilities, as well as modification of existing facilities for high technology and food processing industries. At a corporate level, Dave is a member of Hixson’s Dairy and Beverage Industry team, which works to continuously improve the value Hixson offers to the dairy industry through development of our knowledge base, services and capabilities.

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Kyle McAllister

Manager, Electrical Engineering

Kyle serves as the Manager of Hixson’s Electrical Engineering department. In this role, he oversees the team responsible for the creation and delivery of electrical designs. This includes the design of high, medium, and low voltage power distribution, lighting, telecommunications, and fire alarm systems. Kyle brings more than 15 years of experience in electrical consulting and design to his role. Areas in which Kyle specializes include electrically hazardous area classification, high- and medium-voltage power distribution, protective relaying, arc flash studies, harmonics analysis, cogeneration design, emergency systems design, and complex laboratory designs.

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Scott McGlamery, P.E.

Senior Vice President, and Director, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering

Scott, an officer of the firm, leads the teams responsible for mechanical and electrical project tasks and design, specifications, technical content, consultation during equipment selection and installation and systems start-up assistance. In addition, Scott also serves as the Quality Assurance Manager, overseeing the firm’s commitment to quality. Over Scott’s more than three decades of experience, he has worked on greenfield, brownfield, and renovation projects for food & beverage plants in all sectors, labs, pharma & biotech facilities, and workplace projects.

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Scott Wever

Manager, Manufacturing Engineering

In his role as Manager of Hixson’s Manufacturing Engineering department, Scott leads the team responsible for project consulting and coordination between client, vendor, and internal disciplines within Hixson for overall manufacturing processes, functionality, equipment, and layouts. These team members develop process flow diagrams, equipment lists, and preliminary utility requirements, as well as develop equipment layouts that range from high level master planning to detailed construction documents. In addition to this role, Scott is a member of Hixson’s Meat Industry advisory team, focusing on technologies related to the meat and plant protein industry.

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Derek Wojcikowski

Director of Architecture

Derek is the Director of Hixson’s Architecture department. In this role, Derek leads the teams who design projects for our Food & Beverage, Pharma & Biotech, Laboratory, and Workplace clients. Previously, Derek served as the Manager of Hixson’s Process Layout department, where he directed the team that plays a critical coordination role in the overall development of process models and the 3D equipment model management process. Prior to these management roles, Derek, who began his career with Hixson in 2008, served as a Project Architect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are design-build services for life sciences facilities?

Design-build services coordinate planning, architecture, engineering, construction documentation, and delivery support under an integrated project approach. For life sciences facilities, this includes cGMP zoning, laboratory planning, clean utilities, HVAC and pressurization, process integration, environmental controls, and documentation that supports validation. The goal is to reduce handoff gaps and improve speed, quality, and compliance alignment.

What types of life sciences facilities does Hixson design?

How early should Hixson be involved in a life sciences project?

Can Hixson support cGMP and regulatory compliance needs?

Does Hixson provide laboratory master planning?

What makes Hixson’s integrated delivery approach different?

Can Hixson help with modular cGMP facility design?

Does Hixson work on projects across North America?

Still Have Facility Questions?

Connect with Hixson’s experts to discuss your project goals.

Recognized Expertise

Awards and Recognition

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Great Place to Work

Certified culture supporting long-term technical talent.

Interior Design Rising Giants recognition logo

Rising Giants

Ranked No. 178 by Interior Design magazine.

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Top Sector Firm

Recognized in specialized architecture and engineering sectors.

Ready to Plan Your Life Sciences Facility?

Share your project goals, schedule, and facility challenges with Hixson. Our team will help identify the right next steps for planning, design, engineering, and delivery support.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 513-241-1230. You can also send us a quick email at info@hixson-inc.com.