Designed by PharmaPlan • Engineered and Installed by BICASA Italy FOYA Award‑Winning Facility (2020)
A major pharmaceutical company in Switzerland selected BICASA to deliver a highly specialized in‑vivo research laboratory within their landmark Building 98 project — a facility that later earned the 2020 ISPE FOYA Award for Equipment Innovation for its groundbreaking approach to vivarium design and automation.
The project was competitively bid, and BICASA was chosen for our unmatched ability to engineer adaptable, client‑specific systems that integrate seamlessly into complex research environments.
A Vivarium Designed for Precision, Safety, and Adaptability
The facility forms part of a sophisticated in‑vivo research building recognized internationally for innovation in animal research environments. The design — led by PharmaPlan, the project’s architect/laboratory planner — required systems that were ergonomic, modular, and capable of supporting highly automated workflows.
BICASA’s engineering team in Italy developed a suite of custom solutions that aligned with the building’s architectural vision and the client’s operational needs, and BICASA’s installation team ensured flawless execution on site.
Custom INVIVO Benching System
Engineered specifically for this project
The heart of the installation is a fully customized INVIVO benching system, designed to support vivarium workflows with precision, mobility, and autonomy.
Key Features
- VSM aluminum superstructure for lightweight strength
- Steel bench base with automatic lift columns for ergonomic height adjustment
- Aluminum/steel worktop support structure
- Trespa TopLab® Plus worktops for durability, cleanability, and chemical resistance
Daisy‑Chained Autonomy
A defining innovation of this project was the daisy‑chain configuration of the benches:
- Each bench connects to the next in a continuous chain
- Emergency cut‑offs allow any single bench to be isolated without shutting down the entire line
- This configuration dramatically reduced MEP complexity and cost by routing all services to a single CSP (Ceiling Service Panel)
This approach showcases BICASA’s ability to engineer client‑specific, adaptable, and future‑ready systems that reduce infrastructure burden while increasing operational flexibility.
Integrated Research Tools
Several benches were custom‑built to house:
- Monitoring gauges
- Overhead snorkels
- Specialized extraction and containment accessories
These integrations highlight the project’s emphasis on ergonomic workflow design and seamless equipment coordination.
Specialty Phenolic Storage Solutions
To complement the benching system, BICASA engineered custom phenolic cabinets fabricated from Trespa TopLab® Plus, providing:
- High durability in vivarium environments
- Excellent resistance to moisture and disinfectants
- A cohesive aesthetic aligned with the benching system
A Facility Recognized for Global Excellence
The completed installation contributed to the building’s recognition as a 2020 FOYA Award winner, celebrated for its innovation in equipment integration and in‑vivo research facility design.
The project stands as a testament to:
- BICASA Italy’s engineering depth
- Our ability to deliver highly customized, adaptable systems
- The precision of our installation team
- The strong collaboration with PharmaPlan and the broader project team
A Cohesive, Future‑Ready Research Environment
This Switzerland installation demonstrates how BICASA’s adaptable systems, custom engineering, and integrated utilities can elevate the performance of complex research environments — particularly in highly regulated, high‑stakes vivarium settings.
