Preparing an Aging Facility to Meet Expanding Lab Demands: Renovation of the Stanford Nanofabrication Facility

The Stanford Nanofabrication Facility at Stanford University is housed in a building approaching 30 years in age. The ability of the program to meet research needs is increasingly hampered by the capacity and age of the physical structure. In late 2010, the Stanford Nanofabrication Facility was awarded funding from the National Science Foundation, and matched by contributions from the University, to begin a renovation program that addresses these infrastructure shortcomings. This paper describes the key tasks undertaken and the challenges of executing a construction project of this nature with minimal impact to ongoing research. We conclude with lessons learned.