Engineering Life-Saving Innovation: New York Blood Center’s New Biotech Campus

Photo courtesy of G3 Architecture

Last month, the New York Blood Center (NYBC) celebrated the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art biotechnology research campus in Rye, NY. Cuono Engineering is proud to have been part of this transformative project, which supports NYBC’s critical mission of advancing blood research, cell therapy manufacturing, and life-saving medical innovations.

From Office Building to Cutting-Edge Research Hub

Located at the former AVON Headquarters, this adaptive reuse project—designed by G3 Architecture and built by Consigli Construction—converted a 187,000-square-foot office building into a modern biotechnology research facility. Key program elements include:

• 55,000 SF open-concept laboratory for blood testing, component separation, tissue culture, and research

• 5,700 SF vivarium designed for specialized biomedical studies

• Executive offices, conference and meeting rooms, café, warehouse space, and shipping/receiving areas

This significant transformation supports NYBC’s expanding research capabilities and enhances its ability to deliver life-saving therapies to communities across the region.

https://www.consigli.com/

https://www.consigli.com/

https://www.consigli.com/

https://www.consigli.com/

https://www.consigli.com/

Cuono Engineering’s Role

Cuono Engineering provided the structural design for architectural and MEP engineering elements throughout the renovation. Our scope included:

• Assessing structural capacities of existing floors and roof

• Designing exterior retaining walls, ramps, dock levelers, mechanical pads, and infill window openings

• Engineering an 800 SF office mezzanine

• Designing vivarium walls, ceilings, and two entry vestibules

• Developing a detailed acoustic enclosure for exterior air-sourced heat pump modular units, including CMU walls, foundations, and slab-on-grade flooring

A Project with Purpose

This project demonstrates how thoughtful structural engineering can enable the adaptive reuse of existing buildings for critical new purposes. Cuono Engineering is honored to support NYBC’s work, which directly impacts public health and saves lives every day.