Best Interior/Tenant Improvement: Genmab Phase 3 Renovation

Genmab Phase 3 Renovation

Plainsboro, N.J.

BEST PROJECT

Submitted by Turner Construction Co.

Owner: Genmab

Construction Manager: Turner Construction Co.

Lead Design Firm: Gensler

Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti

MEP Engineer: Vanderweil

Owner’s Representative: Jones Lang LaSalle

Spanning three floors and totaling 113,000 sq ft, the project supports the owner’s continued growth in the biotechnology sector by providing both office space and an assembly hub, all tailored for international collaboration. The layout is carefully planned to support a variety of working styles, with dedicated collaborative zones, flexible work areas and quiet zones for focused, individual work. These design elements are intended to foster creativity, productivity and well-being, ensuring employees have the resources and environment they need to excel.

Photo courtesy Turner Construction Co.

The project was highly detail intensive, with extensive integration of glass office fronts, monumental staircases and complex plant coordination. These scope elements required precise sequencing and collaboration across trades and other participants. When the late engagement of the owner’s audio/visual, information technology, security and furniture vendors introduced significant coordination issues mid-construction, the project team instituted weekly coordination meetings that enabled real-time issue resolution. Detailed preplanning, early mockups and proactive scope clarifications ensured systems were fully integrated without compromising progress or design intent.

Photo courtesy Turner Construction Co.

One significant issue arose when the concrete polishing subcontractor failed to meet scheduled milestones, disrupting downstream trades and threatening the critical path. Identifying manpower and equipment constraints as the root causes, the team implemented a revised timeline with milestone tracking and accountability measures. Dedicated oversight, resource allocation and tight coordination with affected trades allowed the project to recover schedule time. In addition, complications with long-lead custom baffle ceilings were mitigated through early procurement and resequencing strategies, avoiding disruption to finishes and inspections.

Photo courtesy Turner Construction Co.

Despite these challenges, the project was completed on schedule and below budget, with no injuries or recordable incidents over more than 112,000 work hours. Although scope changes were necessary to accommodate vendor requirements, all changes were approved by the owner through a streamlined change management process, resulting in the delivery of a high-quality project.