Indiana Biosciences Research Institute’s Future Ready Facility

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Indiana Biosciences Research Institute

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Indianapolis, Indiana

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121,000 SF

The image shows a modern office break room or café area with a bright, contemporary design. The space features white round tables with vibrant orange chairs in the foreground, alongside some burgundy and gray ottomans. To the right is a long countertop or bar with bar stools where one person with a beard is seated and another person in a blue shirt is standing. The counter area includes a sink, some flowers in a vase, and a bowl of fruit. The ceiling has an industrial feel with exposed ductwork and stylish turquoise pendant lights hanging down. Large windows along the left wall allow natural light to flood the space and provide views to the outside. In the background, there are additional seating areas including what appears to be a small meeting space with a woman sitting at a table, and some wooden slat partitions that create visual separation. The overall aesthetic combines wood elements, white surfaces, and colorful furniture to create an inviting collaborative space for employees.

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The image shows a modern open office environment with an interesting architectural design that balances privacy and openness. This view is of a meeting/presentation room with eight tables arranged neatly in two rows of four. Three people are sitting at the tables, which each have four ergonomic chairs, and watching a man deliver a presentation on a large flat screen TV. The entrance to the room is a dramatic wooden arch, but the walls are transparent glass. The floor has patterned carpeting with a subtle geometric design in beige and brown tones.

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The image shows a close up of the exterior of the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute building. It's a modern, multi-story structure made up of mostly uniform windows. The main entrance has glass doors with a small canopy overhead and appears to have some planters with flowers flanking the entrance.

The image shows the exterior of the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute building. It's a modern, multi-story structure with a predominantly glass facade that reflects the sky and clouds. The building features a contrast of dark gray and light gray/white cladding materials, with large windows arranged in a grid pattern across the facade. At the top of the main entrance area, there's prominent signage reading

A New Home for Bioscience Discovery

The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) is dedicated to accelerating breakthrough discoveries in life sciences and tackling the world’s most complex disease processes. Guided by its mission, Discovery with Purpose, IBRI fuels innovation through strategic collaboration with industry, academia, and healthcare partners.

To advance this mission, BSA designed and engineered IBRI’s new headquarters and state-of-the-art research laboratories, strategically located in the 16 Tech Innovation District northwest of downtown Indianapolis. The facility’s modern exterior and dynamic interior reflect the cutting-edge science taking place within and embodies the spirit of discovery and innovation.

Collaborative Design Process

Every BSA project begins with a collaborative visioning process. For IBRI, our architects, engineers, and interior designers partnered closely with institute leaders and subject matter experts to identify:

Critical success factors for research operations
Pain points in previous facilities
Goals for flexibility, collaboration, and future growth

This inclusive process ensured the design aligned with IBRI’s long-term vision and operational needs.

Designing for Flexibility and Collaboration

A central theme of the project was creating an adaptable, collaborative environment for fast-paced bioscience research. Key design priorities included:

Flexible laboratories with modular layouts that can shift as research evolves
Integrated office, lab, and shared spaces to improve workflow and equipment access
Adaptable meeting and conference areas to support both formal and informal collaboration
Visual transparency and natural daylighting to foster openness and connection to the outdoors

These elements create a vibrant hub of innovation that supports researchers, partners, and collaborators while inviting the broader community into the life sciences ecosystem.

Future-Ready Laboratory Design

BSA’s design approach ensures IBRI can follow the science. Flexible lab infrastructure allows layouts and functions to evolve without disruptive renovations, enabling the institute to quickly adapt to new research priorities and technological advancements. This future-ready approach supports IBRI’s role as a leader in applied life sciences research.

Strategic Location in 16 Tech

The headquarters’ location in the 16 Tech Innovation District positions IBRI within a thriving ecosystem of research, entrepreneurship, and advanced industries. The space not only strengthens IBRI’s ability to attract top talent but also enhances collaboration with partners across biosciences, tech, and healthcare.

As Bob Coy, President and CEO of the 16 Tech Community Corporation, noted:

Building One will be home to researchers, entrepreneurs, and advanced industry leaders in tech, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, ag-bioscience, and talent development. These tenants represent the ideal cross-section of industry expertise and entrepreneurial energy that will drive innovation in Indiana’s economy.

A Hub for Innovation and Impact

With its modern design, advanced laboratory infrastructure, and strategic location, IBRI’s new headquarters empowers the institute to expand its mission of improving human health for all. The facility embodies the future of collaborative bioscience—an environment where discovery, innovation, and impact converge.

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Disciplines

Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, Planning