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Life Sciences Facility Design in San Francisco

Hixson delivers integrated life sciences facility design for San Francisco organizations that need compliant, efficient, future-ready environments. From lab planning and cGMP spaces to building systems and permitting support, our team helps align scientific workflows with practical project execution in a market shaped by tight sites, rigorous standards, and Bay Area innovation.

Modern life sciences facility design team reviewing plans

Our Life Sciences Facility Design Services

Integrated planning, architecture, engineering, and compliance support for advanced life sciences and laboratory environments.

Lab Design

Design of high-performance laboratories that balance scientific functionality, technology integration, office support areas, and employee amenities for productive, user-friendly environments.

Pharma & Biotech

cGMP-focused design solutions for pharmaceutical and biotech facilities, supporting project needs from early requirements definition through coordinated multidisciplinary design.

Master Planning

Strategic facility planning that helps organizations evaluate growth, space use, infrastructure needs, and long-term development opportunities before detailed design begins.

EH&S Compliance

Environmental, health, and safety compliance support that helps life sciences projects address permitting, operational risk, and regulatory expectations during planning and design.

Building Systems

Integrated engineering for critical building systems that support reliable facility performance, occupant comfort, and specialized technical requirements in science environments.

Strategic Consulting

Upfront facility consulting to align business goals, operational needs, and project priorities before investing in renovations, expansions, or new construction.

Life sciences facility design process meeting

Our Life Sciences Design Process

Define Goals and Requirements

We begin by understanding your scientific workflows, operational goals, compliance needs, and growth plans. For San Francisco projects, this often includes early discussion of dense urban sites, phased occupancy, and infrastructure constraints common across Bay Area developments.

Plan Space and Systems

Coordinate Compliance and Design

Advance Detailed Documentation

Support Execution and Startup

Trusted By Innovators

Success Stories

See how Hixson supports complex science, biotech, and facility design goals.

"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?

Clients choose Hixson for integrated expertise, disciplined execution, and specialized facility knowledge.

Integrated Team

Twenty in-house disciplines streamline coordination for complex San Francisco life sciences facility projects.

Deep Experience

More than 75 years of specialized architecture and engineering knowledge supports confident project decisions.

Risk Reduction

Proven project management methods help reduce design gaps, delays, and compliance-related surprises.

Sector Focus

Science and technology expertise fits Bay Area innovation demands, lab standards, and evolving facility needs.

Meet The Project Team

Experienced specialists guiding complex facility design decisions.

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.

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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.

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.

Chris Jarc professional headshot

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.

Kyle McAllister professional headshot

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.

Scott McGlamery P.E. professional headshot

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.

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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 is a life science facility?

A life science facility is a building designed to support research, testing, development, manufacturing, or related operations in fields such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and laboratory science. These facilities often include specialized labs, clean or controlled environments, technical support spaces, offices, and engineered building systems tailored to safety, compliance, workflow, and equipment requirements.

What services are included in life sciences facility design?

How is a life sciences facility different from a standard commercial building?

Can Hixson design both laboratory and cGMP spaces?

Why is master planning important for life sciences projects?

Does Hixson help with EH&S compliance and permitting?

What should companies consider when planning a life sciences facility in San Francisco?

How early should a design firm be involved in a life sciences project?

Still Have Questions About Design?

Talk with our team about your facility goals and requirements.

Areas We Serve

Hixson supports life sciences facility projects for organizations across broad regional and multi-market service areas.

North America

Service Area

Mon-Fri 7:30AM-5:30PM

Business Hours

4.5★ GBP Rating

Client Rating

Planning A Facility In Your Area?

Confirm project fit and regional support with our team.

Certified & Recognized

Awards and Recognition

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Great Place to Work

Certified workplace culture and team excellence.

Interior Design Rising Giants recognition badge

Rising Giant 2026

Ranked No. 178 by Interior Design.

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Sector Recognition

Recognized by leading industry publications.

Plan Your Life Sciences Facility With Confidence

Share your project goals, timeline, and facility needs, and Hixson's team will help you explore the right next steps.

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.