Health Research Innovation Facility (HRIF) Management

Health Research Innovation Facility (HRIF) is a translational research centre designed to create an environment for innovative "bench-to-bedside" health research by increasing interaction between researchers and clinicians focused on common medical issues.

HRIF will augment facilities for health sciences research at the University of Alberta and respond to the critical need for additional medical research space. A total of 65,000 square meters gross area will be constructed on two sites, one to the west of the existing Heritage Medical Research Centre (HMRC) north of the existing Medical Sciences Building (MSB) (Katz Group- Rexall Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research) and one to the east of HMRC (HRIF East). HRIF will ultimately become part of a complex of interconnected buildings, that together form the health sciences research complex. HRIF is designed as a flexible and modular facility that maximizes efficient use of space and supports future research activities. Key design features include "open" laboratories that permit flexible use of space, sharing of common spaces, maximizing natural light in lab and work areas, clustering of offices and highly organized and centralized shared support areas. Typically, public/teaching facilities at main levels and laboratory/research and support facilities from the second level upwards.  The new buildings overall are classified as a Bio-Hazard Level 2 Laboratory facilities.

HRIF West

The hub of the complex is HRIF West, an 8-story building which provides the main entrance to the complex and becomes the critical link between MSB and HMRC.  The atrium connection between MSB and HRIF West provides an impressive public venue for the entire facility.  The large Lecture Theatre, Teaching and Learning Centre and food service kiosks are located with the atrium which also supports interaction between researchers as well as important links to the existing circulation systems.

HRIF East

HRIF East provides access to the complex from the south and east as well as to the Alberta Diabetes Research Institute ("ADRI") which will occupy several floors within this 9-stoery building.  Both the east and west buildings of HRIF are linked at every floor to HMRC with the exception of Level 1 of HRIF West.  HRIF West is linked to MSB through the atrium and bridge connections at several levels.  In addition HRIF East connects directly to NANUC as well as the new parkade to the south.  Completing the complex, the Zeidler (GI) Building and Clinical Training Centre ("CTC") is also connected to the parkade and directly linked to Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre ("WCMHSC").  A Bio-Hazard Level 3 laboratory is located in the basement of the east building, one of the largest one in Canada at over 5,000 square feet over nine stories.

Flexibility

Key to the design concept of HRIF is the creation of a flexible and modular facility, to the extent practical.  This approach maximizes efficient use of space and supports future as yet undefined research activities.  The critical building block around which HRIF is designed is the generic laboratory module.  The concept around which planning has developed is based on the following:

To the extent possible, labs will be open, facilitating the overall flexing of the floors to accommodate the greatest need for the space;

• Research shares as much common space as possible;
• Labs and work areas have access to windows and natural light.
• Offices are located in clusters adjacent lab areas;
• Support spaces are highly organized and centralized.

Public Spaces – Atrium

The atrium enclosure between MSB and HRIF West provides an impressive public venture of the facility.  It contains a large lecture theatre, teaching and learning centre and food service area.  The upper level mezzanine provides an important extension to the current level 2 public circulation systems, teaching areas and opportunities for break out discussion and study areas.  This atrium connects MSB to the rest of the health sciences research complex (HRIF West / HMRC and HRIF East).  It provides important opportunities for interaction between researchers in both areas and reinforces HRIF West as the main hub of the centre.  Its west and east end walls are fully glazed and clerestory windows, which face north, are provided above Level 7.