As part of a rationalisation of business functions, Merck Sharp and Dohme required the provision of quality conference and meeting facilities at their site in Hoddesdon.

Similar functions on other sites and out of house facilities were to be consolidated into the new corporate location.

The development area identified was in the ground floor of the Fleming building which currently housed warehousing and some office support facilities.

The new corporate centre was to be sited in part of the existing ground floor warehouse.

Provide a multidisciplinary design, manage and construct service to deliver the project within a demanding budget and time frame.

Austin won a design competition to provide a series of conference, training and meeting rooms with support areas.

Features include space for four, 30 person private conference rooms, each with moveable acoustic walls to allow a combination of room sizes, or fully open space for large theatre style presentations. Six syndicate rooms and two additional  training rooms are also included.

Conference facilities are supported by a large breakout space which can be configured as a coffee and food serving area. An entrance/ reception and toilet facility complete the centre.

A walk-on deck above the conference rooms provides access to existing services as well as the new mechanical and electrical systems to support the centre with state-of-the-art audio-visual and lighting controls.

Existing high level services serving other parts of the building had to be maintained during construction.

This deck also provides a robust solution to the requirement for a high level of acoustic separation to each of the spaces.

The Fleming building was fully operational on all floors of the three storey building throughout the construction period.

The facility has been named “The Discovery Centre” with a branding to positively reflect the activities of the company, and broader corporate image.