Ball Horticultural Company’s new Innovation Center in West Chicago received an honorable mention in the innovation category of Lab Manager’s 2022 Design Excellence Awards, which honor excellence in research laboratory design, planning, and construction. IMEG teamed with Christner Architects and provided civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology design for the project. 

The new Innovation Center features a greenhouse; headhouse; array of laboratories for plant pathology, molecular biology, cell biology, and tissue culture; offices and corporate rooms; a kitchen; cafeteria; and media prep suite.  

The focus on employee productivity and wellness combined with a passion for plants and gardening fostered a very intentional and direct connection between the laboratories and the garden landscape. 

Read IMEG’s project case study and see the list of award winners here.