Following the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, a leading NYC research hospital turned to JLGA to design a 4,315 sq. ft. Animal Imaging Suite. This cutting-edge facility supports a range of imaging equipment, including an 11T Small Animal MRI, MicroPET, IVIS Spectrum, and animal surgery and housing spaces.

JLGA faced two significant challenges: first, supporting the weight of the MRI machine required the installation of new steel supports within the building’s tight ceiling space. Second, to accommodate the MRI’s large magnet, part of the building’s façade was removed to allow a crane to lift the magnet into place. Additional steel shims and a copper Faraday cage were incorporated to address magnetic and RF-shielding concerns.

The suite’s Wet Lab is designed with flexible, movable lab benches and worktables to meet future needs. The facility also includes offices, imaging analysis stations, and individual researcher workstations. To maximize natural light, JLGA created a central circulation spine, placing imaging rooms in the building’s interior and opening laboratory spaces to the exterior. This layout fosters collaboration by providing a shared core workspace for the hospital’s researchers.