MBI Construction Breaks Ground

Story Posted: Tue, Jul 14, 2009

By: Danielle Clair, 541-713-1348

Rumors of the expansion of the Microproducts Breakthrough Institute (MBI), a.k.a. Hewlett-Packard Building 11, are no longer greatly exaggerated. Work began slowly but surely about four weeks ago in what is slated to be a year-long construction project. At the end of the "Build-out," as the expansion is familiarly known, MBI will boast 14 new state-of-the-art labs, new offices, and new enhanced classroom and conferencing space.

In the meantime, the skull-jarring hum of jackhammers and other power tools have replaced the usual workplace din, and the previously intact concrete warehouse floor is now patterned with deep channels where new electric, water and sewer service will be laid in.

In terms of office space, the expansion comes none too soon, as MBI has reached maximum occupancy of the existing space. Some long-time residents speak with nostalgia of a time when five people reported here for work. That number is up to about 30, with many more who visit regularly to work on the fabrication floor or for meetings. (Yet despite office space being at a premium for the time being, parking still remains just a little easier to come by than on campus.)

The MBI is a joint research institute between the Pacific Northwest National Lab and OSU and was envisioned as a facility that would foster an environment where collaboration is supported and encouraged. Judging by how true the MBI has remained to that vision to date, we are well-poised to reap the maximum the benefits of the Build-out.

We'll keep you posted on the progress.

Before and After: Chalk lines on the concrete floor of Building 11 (left) marked the areas where deep trenches were to be cut out (right) to lay in new electric, water and sewer service.