Labs keep working as refurbishment progresses

By - , Build 122

Maintaining efficiency and productivity through on-going site redevelopment is always a challenge. Four months into the BRANZ project, things are running fairly smoothly.

Figure 1: Construction phasing for the BRANZ site redevelopment.
Figure 2: Workshop before (left) and during refurbishment in December 2010 (right).
Figure 3: Construction of Nikau STIC building in December 2010.

The BRANZ site is currently undergoing a major redevelopment – the most significant in its 37 years at Judgeford near Porirua. The refurbishment is expected to take 15–18 months and will be completed in five stages.

Any major refurbishment project can be expected to significantly impact on productivity. At BRANZ, contractors and staff have jointly developed robust, detailed plans to maintain building progress and minimise productivity losses.

The five-stage construction programme (see Figure 1) requires each stage to be completed and staff relocated before the next stage starts, minimising the need for temporary accommodation. A detailed and well documented relocation plan has allowed staff to effectively prioritise workloads and handle scheduling conflicts. As a result, productivity is being maintained.

Communication plan keeps staff in the loop

An in-house project manager and a refurbishment administrator are the central contacts for BRANZ staff, on-site contractors, the architects and designers.

The project manager and refurbishment administrator also worked with the marketing team to implement a comprehensive communication plan. Regular meetings and Building Blocks newsletters, weekly updates and monthly walkthroughs keep all staff up to date with what is being done and informed of any changes to plans.

Figure 1: Construction phasing for the BRANZ site redevelopment.

Optimising laboratory spaces

The initial stages of the refurbishment are focusing on optimising laboratory spaces (see Figures 2–3). Laboratory users were involved in planning discussions from the beginning. They wanted large, flexible and more functional working environments. Their diverse range of work includes large-scale wall tests through to small materials and accelerated weathering testing in temperature and humidity-controlled environments.

Other priorities were:

  • improved ventilation and air-conditioning within specific laboratories, to provide comfortable working conditions
  • better access and facilities to deal with sample deliveries, including better doorways, roller doors and hoists.

The layout of the refurbished site will bring together the Building Performance and Materials laboratories at one end of the Rimu building and will allow for further future expansion or adaptation if required.

Figure 2: Workshop before (left) and during refurbishment in December 2010 (right).
Figure 3: Construction of Nikau STIC building in December 2010.

Consultation and flexibility

Throughout the process, there has been close consultation between architects Warren and Mahoney, Fletcher Construction, subcontractors and the research and technical staff at BRANZ. All have worked together identifying priorities and defining and addressing critical issues. Flexibility has been crucial, and design plans and timelines have sometimes been modified to maintain progress.

Each refurbishment stage has been structured so that key apparatus and equipment can be relocated with minimum downtime and productivity loss. To assist with this, several laboratory users are involved in the process and have accountability for specific aspects of the move. They also provide feedback on a regular basis.

For more

There will be more updates on progress during the site refurbishment.

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Figure 1: Construction phasing for the BRANZ site redevelopment.
Figure 2: Workshop before (left) and during refurbishment in December 2010 (right).
Figure 3: Construction of Nikau STIC building in December 2010.

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