Situated in the heart of an old industrial area, the bold new Emeryville R&D Center serves as a stunning “high-tech Modernist example of the emerging Biotech Alley.” The 150,000 square foot Center consists of three renovated, four-story structures that were originally built for Shell Oil. The Center serves as Chiron’s headquarters, lab, and research and development center. The Center includes such architectural innovations as a translucent “barrel-vault” entrance, a sunny garden court and an exterior laboratory exhaust system which doubles as a window sunshade. A two-story building frames the circular entry and features a library and cafeteria. The Emeryville R&D Center expanded, adding a new 30,000 square foot office and R&D building at the south end of the complex to accommodate Chiron ’s growth needs.