Honda Research Institute Materials Science Lab at SciTech

When Honda Research Institute (HRI) set its sights on relocating its cutting-edge Material Science Lab from San Jose, California to Columbus, Ohio, they needed more than just a move—they needed a transformation. Wellogy delivered fully integrated architectural and engineering services to turn possibility into precision.

Now located in the SciTech complex on Kinnear Road, the lab not only fuels HRI’s pioneering materials research but also supports the innovation ecosystem of 99P Labs. The project began with a rigorous strategic feasibility study, assessing multiple SciTech spaces through the lens of lab fit, infrastructure readiness, and the complexities of transporting sensitive equipment. Touring benchmark sites and working side-by-side with HRI’s team, Wellogy helped chart the best course—minimizing risk and maximizing performance.

A Smart Reuse with High-Impact Upgrades
The final solution reimagined an 8,830 sf suite—converting 5,500 sf of former freezer farm space into a suite of high-performance wet chemistry labs. These included:
• Chemical Synthesis
• Particle & Carbon Synthesis
• Instrument Analysis
• Optical Instrumentation
• Electronic Measurement

Each lab was custom-built to meet HRI’s stringent standards. The approach blended infrastructure-forward thinking with cost-efficient adaptation—verifying and reusing existing systems where possible, avoiding unnecessary upgrades.

Design That Solves and Supports
Wellogy’s team tackled complex challenges head-on:

• Redesigned HVAC systems to power high-volume fume hoods and lab exhaust
• Integrated specialty lab gas systems
• Upgraded plumbing, power, and data networks for future-ready flexibility

What Sets This Project Apart:

• Strategic Feasibility Insight – Early planning shaped smart space selection and de-risked the process
• Seamless West-to-Midwest Transition – Efficiently mirrored San Jose’s lab while integrating existing equipment
• Infrastructure-Forward Design – Delivered lab performance without costly rebuilds

This project stands as a reinvention—engineered for excellence, purposefully designed to advance discovery at every step.