A Complete, Future-Ready Laboratory Ecosystem for Italy’s National Life Sciences Institute
Human Technopole (HT) is Italy’s flagship life sciences research institute, located within the MIND Milano Innovation District. BICASA srl, in partnership with ASHI, delivered a comprehensive laboratory infrastructure across the entire campus — supporting advanced imaging, high-density wet lab research, and the long-term growth of a rapidly expanding scientific community.
Project Scope
BICASA and ASHI provided and installed:
- Complete laboratory furniture systems across all HT laboratory areas, including the first-floor lab support spaces
- Fume hoods, bench systems, fixed and mobile casework
- IKARO overhead service utilities
- C-frame structures and melamine casework (no metal casework used)
- Equipment integration and MEP coordination
- On-site installation and technical support
The project spanned the North Pavilion, South Pavilion, and Incubator Labs, transforming former Expo Milano 2015 structures into world-class research environments.
Campus Functions & Research Areas
North Pavilion
- Cryo-EM Facility
- Light Microscopy Imaging Facility
- Sample preparation rooms and microscope control rooms
South Pavilion
- Laboratory space supporting up to 800 scientists
- Wet labs, instrument rooms, cell culture suites, and core services
Incubator Labs
- Wet workstations
- Counter space for experimental researchers
- Support desks and laboratories
- Instrument rooms and core services
These areas required a combination of flexibility, precision, and seamless integration with complex utilities — all core strengths of BICASA’s modular systems.
Installed Systems & Products
Bench Systems
- MECC Bench System
- Aluminum uprights
- Integrated technical service panels
- Designed for reconfiguration and high-density utilities
Fume Hoods
- RX Fume Hood
- Aluminum structure
- High-performance airflow stability
Mobile Workstations
- Kompatto Mobile Bench
- Steel base
- Aluminum uprights
- Trespa TopLab Plus or HPL worktops
- Locking wheels for hybrid fixed/mobile use
Overhead Service Distribution
- IKARO Suspended Beam
- Horizontal utility distribution
- Maximizes floor flexibility for equipment and mobile benches
Casework
- C-Frame Structures
- Melamine Casework
- Durable, cleanable, and ideal for high-traffic research environments
A Flexible, Research-Driven Design Philosophy
The Human Technopole team emphasized the need for adaptable, future-ready laboratory environments. Their feedback reflects the alignment between their scientific mission and BICASA’s design approach:
“The team fully understood our need for flexibility and the ability to evolve. Their expertise in lab design and deep understanding of life science research allowed us to create spaces that will inspire great science for years to come.”
This sentiment captures the collaborative spirit of the project and the value of integrated, research-driven solutions.
Long-Term Performance
During a recent site visit — more than five years after installation — the laboratories still appeared brand new.
This durability reflects:
- The quality of BICASA’s materials
- The robustness of melamine casework in high-use environments
- The long-term stability of MECC, Kompatto, and IKARO systems
- The effectiveness of coordinated MEP integration
Outcome
The completed installation supports:
- Advanced imaging workflows (Cryo-EM, light microscopy)
- High-density wet lab research
- Rapid reconfiguration as HT expands
- A unified, ergonomic, and technically robust laboratory environment
- Proven long-term durability
BICASA’s integrated systems now serve as the backbone of Human Technopole’s scientific infrastructure – enabling researchers to work efficiently, safely, and collaboratively in one of Europe’s most ambitious life sciences campuses.
