Biola University – Center for Science, Technology and Health

The Alton and Lydia Lim Center for Science, Technology and Health is a new, 91,200 square foot facility located on the Biola University campus in La Mirada, California. The $63 million development is set to open in the spring of 2018 and will include three floors of laboratories, classrooms, and research spaces. The center will be home to Biola’s Nursing, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics programs.

Raymond’s Southern California region was brought onto the project by General Contractor C.W. Driver and is currently providing the metal stud framing, drywall, exterior lath and plaster, and waterproofing. Raymond has also taken a design build role on the expansive science facility, utilizing in-house AutoCAD and BIM teams for design, modeling, and shop drawings.

Through the preconstruction process, Raymond has reviewed the entire building design with a focus on constructability issues and trade coordination. Raymond helped design all of the waterproofing and exterior façade transition details at the beginning of the project, which played a large role in maintaining project cost, staying on schedule, and providing the highest quality product for each different location on the building.

The exterior façade transitions were challenging due to the building’s utilization of custom designed aluminum trim. The trim needed to transition to other types of exterior finishes (i.e., brick, plaster (3 colors), metal panels, and windows) without hindering the desired look of the building. Raymond’s AutoCAD/BIM team was able to locate and dimension where step backs would occur at each transition, facilitating the actual construction and aesthetic appeal.

Raymond’s field team has also been exceptional in maintaining the project’s accelerated schedule. To stay on track, they have broken up construction of the building into two separate move in’s, which has benefited not just Raymond’s schedule, but the overall project schedule as well.

When construction is complete, the new Alton and Lydia Lim Center for Science will triple the space Biola has dedicated to science. The building will have an industrial feel with many overhead Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing areas remaining exposed and painted as an architectural feature. This is the first of many new buildings to come for the Biola University campus and will help maintain student growth and better prepare future generations.

Biola University – Owner
C.W. Driver – General Contractor
Gensler – Architect
The Raymond Group – Metal Stud Framing, Drywall, Exterior Lath & Plaster, Waterproofing
Al-Cal – Insulation
DSM – Caulking
Safway – Scaffolding