Ionis Pharmaceuticals Lots 21 & 22

Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ expansion in Carlsbad, California adds a 164,833-sq.-ft., three-story research and development facility and a new three-level parking structure to its growing campus. A standout feature of the development is a 16-ft. 11-in. pedestrian bridge connecting the new R&D building to the existing conference center across Whiptail Loop. The campus is targeting LEED Gold certification.

Schuff Steel fabricated and erected 1,053 tons of structural steel for the new building and bridge. The uniquely curved, “moon-shaped” design of the medical office building required moment SidePlate connections with cranked beams. Originally designed to be two pieces with full-penetration welds, Schuff Steel proposed a more efficient solution: bending the beams as a single piece, similar to cambering, saving both time and labor.

Although originally scheduled for an April 2024 steel erection start, Schuff Steel’s team was able to mobilize two months earlier without accelerating fabrication. This eliminated the need for $109K in steel storage costs and helped the project stay on track to meet key milestones. In addition to publishing an updated contract, Schuff Steel maintained open and consistent communication with the customer to keep all stakeholders aligned on project progress.