Arium AE’s design studio is partnering with Alpha Biosciences on the transformation of their headquarters and biotech manufacturing facility located along Clipper Mill Road in Baltimore, Maryland. Based in Maryland since 1999, Alpha Biosciences specializes exclusively in high-quality dehydrated culture media. Renowned for premium standards and strict sourcing from BSE-free countries, they focus on consistency, quality, and expert craftsmanship, blending the highest quality raw materials into a finished product of premium standards.
The project encompasses a comprehensive renovation of two existing buildings totaling 19,800 square feet, along with a new 5,200-square-foot addition that connects the structures into a cohesive campus. The new building connection is designed with 20’ floor-to-ceiling heights to accommodate specialized equipment while also providing space to support future growth. A prominent corner tower will anchor the addition and establish a strong visual identity for the company as commuters travel along Jones Falls Expressway (I-83), reinforcing Alpha Biosciences’ presence in the region.
Within this impressive operation lies nearly every programmatic component one might expect in a fully integrated, end-to-end biotech manufacturing facility. The experience begins with a welcoming reception and newly designed front office space anchored by a large conference room, which then transitions through a series of environmentally controlled laboratories, incubation, seeding, and preparation areas. From there, the process scales up to multiple large rooms of major filling and blending equipment, ultimately culminating in a strategically planned warehouse that supports receiving and shipping across multiple zones, allowing the entire operation to function with maximum efficiency and seamless flow. The expanded manufacturing process requires a vast dust-collection network integrated into the design, a compressed-air system, and a tight HVAC design to ensure optimal conditions in each room.
The site presented unique design challenges due to the varied construction types and irregular orientations. Careful coordination and detailed documentation were required to seamlessly integrate old and new while bringing the facility up to current code standards and performance expectations. The result is a thoughtfully unified environment that balances technical rigor with architectural character.
Construction is underway and is strategically phased into three distinct stages to enable Alpha Biosciences to maintain continuous operations throughout the process. This phased approach allows ongoing occupancy of unaffected areas while minimizing disruptions to daily business activities.
The Arium AE design team is actively collaborating with the builder and structural engineer, reviewing existing conditions as they are uncovered in the field to ensure the original design intent is achieved. This open line of communication, in conjunction with the end user, supports a smooth construction process and reinforces the project’s commitment to quality, functionality, and long-term adaptability.
