Life Sciences Facilities Design & Engineering

We partner with life sciences organizations to plan, design, and deliver facilities and integrated solutions that support complex business goals.

Our experts help you strengthen compliance and improve operational performance. From simple wet labs through highly regulated contamination control environments that utilize smart technologies and sustainable infrastructure, we work with you to create spaces and systems that positively impact lives.

Fostering Discovery and the Advancement of Science

We help you achieve compliant, efficient, sustainable facilities with expert guidance, integrated delivery, and a proven manufacturing-first approach.

FDA, EMA, and cGMP Facility Compliance Expertise for Life Science Projects
Our teams bring decades of experience delivering U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), and globally Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)-compliant solutions. We understand the complexities of validation, qualification, and documentation, ensuring every environment is audit-ready from day one. Backed by deep regulatory and technical expertise, we help you navigate evolving requirements, reduce compliance risk, and maintain operational continuity. Our rigorous approach guides teams to design, execute, and document solutions to the highest standards, supporting quality and readiness at every stage of delivery.
Integrated EPC Delivery for Faster, Risk-Reduced Project Execution
GFT offers a fully integrated engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model that eliminates the traditional handoffs that slow projects down. By unifying design, construction, and validation under one accountable partner, which helps compress timelines, reduce risk, and ensure seamless alignment from concept through commissioning. This approach enhances cost certainty, improves communication, and preserves design intent throughout the execution process. The result is faster delivery, smoother qualification, and a more predictable path to market without compromising quality, safety, or compliance.

High-Performance Manufacturing Environments for Life Science Facilities
We specialize in life science manufacturing environments, from active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and chemical manufacturing, oral solid dosage (OSD) and biologics, to fully aseptic operations. Our designs enhance output efficiency, flow, and maintainability to maximize yield and minimize downtime. We integrate sustainability into every solution, applying energy-efficient systems and circular design strategies that support environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals while maintaining compliance. With a hands-on, partnership-driven approach, we work closely with your teams to foster transparency, promote proactive problem-solving, and establish shared accountability, ensuring consistent delivery and long-term performance.

“New discoveries and technologies are constantly emerging in the field of life sciences. From accelerating innovations to improving R&D productivity to incorporating smart technologies and artificial intelligence tools, GFT’s life sciences team works with you to define and deliver effective solutions to the complex challenges facing all areas of your business.”

Jimmy Sodano
Vice President, Southeast Market Leader, Life Sciences/Industrial

Featured Projects

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Fragrance Innovation Center Relocation

Holmdel, N.J.

A large green generator is centered on a concrete platform in a room with silver ducting venting it to the exterior.

Air Permitting and Compliance for Denver Metro Medical Facilities

Denver, Colo.

Single story white modular building with a gray door next to a multi-story tan and brick building.

Pfizer Gene Therapy Lab Expansion and Renovation

Sanford, N.C.

Office and Laboratory Global Nutritional Innovation Center

Parsippany, N.J.

Charlotte’s Web Cannabinoid Production Facility

Louisville, Colo.

R. Steven Biggs Regional Wastewater Pretreatment Facility

Clayton, N.C.

Employee Spotlight

Career Opportunities

Employee Spotlight

Brian Seip, PE, CxA, LEED AP BD+C, CEA, REP, NCTI, ENV SP

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Featured News & INSIGHTS

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Architecture Career Insights: Perspectives from Practicing Architects

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Climate Risk Analysis for Buildings and Infrastructure

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Webcast

UPCOMING 9/24: Beyond Hollywood: The Reality of Modern Fire Protection

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Webcast

The Off-Site Advantage: Redefining How We Build

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News

GFT Advances National Standing as a Leader in Architecture & Integrated Design

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News

Gannett Fleming TranSystems Changes Name to GFT and Appoints Mike Orth as Chief Executive Officer

Leadership Team

James "Jimmy" Sodano

Vice President, Southeast Market Leader, Life Sciences/Industrial

Meet Jimmy

Stephen Lis, AIA, CID

Vice President, Director of Regional Operations, Architecture

Meet Stephen

o A man with a gray suit jacket, white dress shirt, and a red, white, and blue striped tie.

Craig Crowther, PE

President, Project Development Corporation

Email Craig

Markets & Core Services

Discover how we bring complex projects to life across various markets.

Complementary Solutions

Explore value-added solutions to complete your entire project lifecycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of life sciences solutions does GFT design and deliver?
We provide a full range of regulated facilities, including cleanrooms, laboratories, pilot plants, manufacturing spaces, packaging environments, and cGMP logistics centers. Our expertise spans clean utilities, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, manufacturing sciences and technologies, and more.
How does GFT ensure compliance with FDA, EMA, and cGMP requirements?
Our life sciences teams bring deep regulatory and technical knowledge, based on years of experience working on the owner’s side of the industry. This background helps to align with compliance best practices, embedding validation, qualification, and documentation into every project to ensure audit-ready environments that meet global standards.

What is integrated EPC delivery, and why is it beneficial?
Integrated EPC delivery combines design, procurement, and construction under one accountable partner. This limits handoffs, compresses schedules, improves coordination, and enhances predictability.
How does GFT design for future growth and process changes?
Our teams use flexible, modular design strategies that enable process scalability, facilitate equipment upgrades, and accommodate evolving manufacturing technologies. This includes adaptable cleanroom layouts, expandable utilities, and phased construction planning.