How Source Champions Absci's Mission to Change the World One Protein at a Time
Vancouver-based synthetic biology firm Absci has seen unprecedented levels of growth lately. The numbers are up for Absci, both in number of employees and as a part of their IPO debut back in July 2021 which spiked 30%. Plans to ramp up production were on the horizon, says Absci's CEO and Founder Sean McClain:
Talent has got us to where we are today. We knew that having an IPO would offer us great visibility as we continue to recruit more AI talent as well as SynBio talent. We have gone from 40 employees in 2020 to over 170 employees now, and we will have, most likely, 240 employees by the end of the year. The expansion will allow us to quadruple our overall capacity.
The journey to opening the doors to their new 85,000 sq ft campus in October 2021 started with AbSci struggling to find a suitable laboratory space in the region to support their growth, until Washington Gov. Jay Inslee invested $200,000 from his Strategic Reserve Fund.
AbSci moved from Portland to downtown Vancouver in 2016, taking over an entire floor level and finding its new home at the 15,000 square feet of The Hudson Building at 101 E. Sixth St. Absci’s continued growth caused them to quickly outgrow the Hudson Building and saw the need to expand into a larger campus that would give them more room to grow.
The Challenge
To meet the demands and scale up effectively, Absci laid down its plans by late 2020 to move its headquarters from downtown to east Vancouver at Columbia Tech Center (CTC)—over 85,000 square feet of office, laboratory and warehouse spaces at 18105 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd leased by PacTrust. Relocating to a facility with four times from their original capacity listed procurement challenges for stakeholders, such as:
- Completing the build-out timeline by Q2 2021
- Meeting quality & cost constraints with the FF&E budget
- Effective collaboration among project stakeholders
The Solution
Absci, together with Bora Architects, leveraged Source to set up the FF&E of Absci’s HQ’s shared workspaces including the dining, town hall, library and conference rooms. Along withWith Bora’s idea-first maxim and people-centered design, as its core values, Source pushed ideas for collaboration from its basis of design and suggested viable alternatives that support the flow, circulation, function and sustainability of the FF&E footprint. Source helped saved the biotech company:
- Over 30 days of the project timeline
- 50% of the typical purchasing fee
- And hit their target FF&E budget dead on
How? By having a data-first platform and a supportive team that allowed the designer and owner to collaborate easily on project decisions, and find the best products for this particular project the first time.
OAC Collaboration Made Possible by Source ProCURE
In traditional procurement methods, data silos hamper what could've been a productive collaboration among the owner, architect and contractor. Source breaks down these silos using an integrated project delivery. We worked together with Absci and Portland-based Bora Architects for the tenant renovation of Building 685, a build-to-suit Class A Flex/Office space in the 430-acre, mixed-use development of Columbia Tech Center.
Procurement used to be a fragmented process with a lot of places where data traded hands, opening up the possibility of errors. Say no more with Source keeping the design and procurement phases in parallel tandem. Bora Architects used Source to keep Absci updated of the real-time changes through digital sign offs and approvals, while reducing unnecessary VE rework by leveraging their team and digital platform to provide a myriad of options for Absci, as well as being able to view pricing and lead time early on in the design phases. Source keeps everything and everyone together in one place.
It’s inspiring to come to work each day in this exceptional building,” said Sean McClain, founder and CEO of Absci. “We designed the light-filled space around collaboration and the pursuit of scientific excellence, and we are thrilled with the pride our Unlimiters feel inhabiting this new campus. We strive every day to bring new insights to challenging problems, and this collaborative setting really encourages all of us to step beyond the impossible to create new possibilities for patients.
Building a Digital Backbone with Source ProCURE
Cells make up our bodies. Bricks are building blocks. Data is the backbone. Source’s methodology was well aligned with this data first company by leveraging their product data and transparency to become the backbone that bridged the gap between the idea and reality of an expanded, and high design work environment for this biotech protein-printing facility.
Specifications serve as the point of reference between the design intent and its project execution. Absci consulted with Bora Architects to meet the standard specifications for tenant spaces set by commercial real estate developer PacTrust.
As early as in the design phase, manufacturers were brought early into the interior fit-out process. Source enabled quality control checks on FF&E needed for areas like collaborative town hall, closed offices, meeting rooms and pharmaceutical laboratory spaces.
For example, CTC requires its tenants to install interior door hardware with specifications such as 2 pair butt hinges, Schlage "AL" series Saturn level latch and wall stop, or LED Lithonia BLT lay-in type office lighting to meet the benchmarking requirements for ENERGY STAR®. Source only assisted the FF&E of CTC, but our plethora of functionalities can cater comprehensive interior design.
For Absci and Bora Architects, there's no better way to find alternatives than having it right at the outset before you create purchase orders. Source made the project stakeholders proactive, instead of reactive. This is how Source empowers your work from Discovery to Delivery.
On Time, On Spec, on Budget with Source
Next-level spec check meets cost and time constraints. Using Source means that our project managers and proprietary technology keep your product specifications in line with your budget and schedule. Absci and Bora Architects used digital library filters to compare impact attributes of their product selections. No more apples-to-oranges comparison.
Equip your team with product intelligence so you can save more money and time with best-value materials. Install furniture products that rank high on safety and performance requirements and get more bang for your buck, rather than paying for occupational safety hazards once your project’s in use.
Forget VE and change orders. Eliminate time wasters and rogue spending with Source.
Source Features
Discover & Order Products
Mix and match your building products right, and collect finish schedules in seconds.
Purchase Orders
Streamline vendor selection, material delivery, storage and installation all in one place.
Export Product Information
Get buy-ins with digital sign offs, and make informed decisions with your stakeholders.
