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Expert Life Sciences Facility Design Services

Designing a life sciences facility requires more than attractive architecture—it takes integrated engineering, cGMP awareness, clean utility planning, and deep understanding of how science moves from discovery to production. Hixson brings architecture, engineering, process, automation, and compliance insight together to help clients create laboratories, pharma, biotech, and advanced therapy environments built for performance, safety, and future growth.

Modern life sciences laboratory and cleanroom facility

Our Life Sciences Facility Design Services

Integrated architecture and engineering for laboratories, cGMP production, cleanrooms, utilities, and regulated science environments.

Pharma & Biotech

Hixson designs cGMP spaces for oral solid dose, sterile processing, biologics, vaccines, clean utilities, controlled environments, HVAC pressurization, compliant finishes, and validation-supporting documentation.

Lab Design

For more than four decades, Hixson has developed R&D, QA/QC, analytical, pilot plant, and BSL-rated laboratories with coordinated HVAC, casework, fume hood, lab gas, and DI water systems.

Cell & Gene

Design services support viral vector production, autologous and allogeneic therapies, plasmid DNA, CRISPR, and CAR-T manufacturing with ISO-classified cleanrooms, single-use equipment, containment, and clean utilities.

Biologics Design

Hixson supports monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, recombinant proteins, blood products, and biosimilars with upstream suites, downstream purification, fill/finish, lyophilization, cleanroom HVAC, biosafety containment, and compliant documentation.

Aseptic Processing

Facility designs address sterile fill/finish, vialing, prefilled syringes, ophthalmics, and aseptic biologics with ISO Class 5 critical zones, RABS, isolators, unidirectional airflow, and Annex 1 alignment.

Modular cGMP

Hixson designs modular cGMP facilities, pre-engineered cleanroom modules, skid-mounted process units, and tenant fit-outs that support speed-to-market, capacity flexibility, and regulatory predictability.

Facility design team reviewing laboratory plans

Our Integrated Design Process

Define Requirements and Success Criteria

Hixson begins by helping clients clarify user requirements, process needs, scientific workflows, cleanroom classifications, containment expectations, utility loads, and business objectives so the facility strategy is grounded in real operating needs.

Plan Spaces, Flows, and Expansion

Integrate Architecture and Engineering

Document Compliance-Ready Solutions

Support Construction and Startup

Built For Leaders

Trusted Project Experience

Hixson supports recognized clients across science, technology, food, beverage, laboratory, and regulated manufacturing sectors.

"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 technical depth to complex, regulated facility programs.

75+ Years

Established in 1948, Hixson brings decades of specialized architecture and engineering experience.

Integrated Disciplines

Twenty in-house technical disciplines collaborate daily to reduce handoffs and improve design coordination.

Regulated Expertise

Teams understand cGMP, cleanrooms, clean utilities, containment, biosafety, and validation-supporting documentation.

Stable Teams

Average associate tenure exceeds 10 years, supporting continuity on complex long-term facility programs.

Meet Hixson’s Leaders

Experienced leaders guide complex architecture and engineering programs.

John Brockmeier P.E. professional headshot

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.

Craig Cheevers professional headshot

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.

Warren Green P.E. professional headshot

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.

Steve Guyer P.E. professional headshot

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.

Scott Wever professional headshot

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.

Derek Wojcikowski professional headshot

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 life science facilities?

Life science facilities are specialized environments used for research, testing, development, and manufacturing in fields such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, biologics, medical research, diagnostics, and advanced therapies. They may include wet labs, dry labs, cleanrooms, pilot plants, cGMP production suites, containment areas, QA/QC labs, and clean utility systems designed for safety, compliance, and scientific performance.

What types of life sciences facilities does Hixson design?

How does cGMP affect facility design?

Can Hixson support both laboratories and manufacturing spaces?

What is included in life sciences facility master planning?

Does Hixson design cleanrooms and controlled environments?

How early should Hixson be involved in a facility project?

Does Hixson provide construction and commissioning support?

Still Have Facility Design Questions?

Connect with Hixson’s integrated architecture and engineering experts.

Recognized & Trusted

Awards and Recognition

Great Place to Work certification logo

Great Place to Work

Certified workplace supporting strong project team continuity.

Interior Design Rising Giants recognition logo

Rising Giants

Ranked No. 178 by Interior Design magazine.

Top sector firm recognition badge

Top Sector Firm

Recognized in Food, Science, and Workplace sectors.

Plan Your Next Life Sciences Facility

Share your project goals, technical requirements, schedule drivers, and compliance needs. Hixson’s team can help evaluate the right path forward for laboratories, cGMP manufacturing, cleanrooms, and regulated science environments.

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.