Two Baltimore-based companies have started work on a $38 million contract to build an advanced chemistry laboratory in the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, said Jeff Hinte, acting director for advanced planning and initiatives of the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center.

The center has focused on research and development in the defense against chemical weapons since World War I.

Gaudreau Inc., an architectural firm, and Poole & Kent, a mechanical contractor, are to complete the lab in two years.

"The $38 million provided sufficient capability to move out of antiquated buildings," Hinte said. "It allows us to support our mission to protect the work force and protect the homeland."

"This building does the basic research and applied research in areas of chemical detection, protection and decontamination," Hinte said.

The 74,000-square-foot building will replace three labs that were designed in the late 1950s.

"The new lab is flexible and based on a modular design to easily reconfigure the lab for new equipment and technology," Hinte said.