Laboratory Refurbishment, Bracknell

The Opportunity

Afton required the existing HVAC system feeding seven laboratories on the ground floor of their Bullbrook Building to be replaced so that they are compliant with BS EN 14175 and HSG 258, and at the same time to improve diversity and utilisation of the fume cupboards and LEV systems.

To provide Afton with a ±10% estimate and a delivery programme, Austin were requested to develop a preliminary design to ascertain the most appropriate way to replace the HVAC system with minimal disruption, keeping all the other working laboratories operational. The design required reconfiguration of fume cupboards and laboratory benching in each of the seven laboratories along with modifications to associated process water, gases and, where possible, reusing existing benching.

Space constraints necessitated the ductwork systems be designed around existing services within the ceiling voids and overcoming physical building constraints of the occupied areas.

Modelling of maximum and minimum operational laboratory air flows with seasonal demand matching were required to assess the maximum chilled water and low temperature hot water system demands utilising heat recovery to ensure an energy efficient design.

Value engineering analysis, constructability reviews and construction planning reviews were undertaken to achieve construction efficiency and continuity.

Upon conclusion of the preliminary design, Afton required Austin to undertake the next stage through to completion.

The Solution

Afton required the existing HVAC system feeding seven laboratories on the ground floor of their Bullbrook Building to be replaced so that they are compliant with BS EN 14175 and HSG 258, and at the same time to improve diversity and utilisation of the fume cupboards and LEV systems.

To provide Afton with a ±10% estimate and a delivery programme, Austin were requested to develop a preliminary design to ascertain the most appropriate way to replace the HVAC system with minimal disruption, keeping all the other working laboratories operational. The design required reconfiguration of fume cupboards and laboratory benching in each of the seven laboratories along with modifications to associated process water, gases and, where possible, reusing existing benching.

Space constraints necessitated the ductwork systems be designed around existing services within the ceiling voids and overcoming physical building constraints of the occupied areas.

Modelling of maximum and minimum operational laboratory air flows with seasonal demand matching were required to assess the maximum chilled water and low temperature hot water system demands utilising heat recovery to ensure an energy efficient design.

Value engineering analysis, constructability reviews and construction planning reviews were undertaken to achieve construction efficiency and continuity.

Upon conclusion of the preliminary design, Afton required Austin to undertake the next stage through to completion.

THC 2 Laboratory, Building 102 R&D Facility, Milton Park

The Opportunity

Global pharmaceutical group Ipsen’s ambition is to be a leader in specialty healthcare solutions for targeted debilitating diseases. This strategy called for the consolidation of their research in the heart of leading biotechnological and life sciences hubs.

Ipsen required additional THC2 (toxic handling criteria) laboratories to be provided within an area of fallow space in their R&D facility in Abingdon and engaged Austin, who had previously undertaken Phase 1 extension and fit-out of this facility to carry out these Phase 2 works.

In order to develop this opportunity and assess the feasibility of these proposals, Austin initially undertook a concept study to define Ipsen’s detailed requirements. Subsequently Austin developed the opportunity into a viable detailed design in order to deliver this important facility to support Ipsen’s global aspirations for this building.

The Solution

Austin collaborated with Ipsen to design and deliver a state-of-the-art flexible laboratory conforming to Ipsen’s toxic handling criteria THC2 standard for working with non-toxic biologics. The laboratory accommodated analytical equipment to support analysis of in-house samples and improve product and process understanding.
This entailed:

• an airlock lobby to link the laboratory and the existing second floor THC2 laboratory suite.
• a refuge lobby from the laboratory with an exit directly to the central staircase
• an equipment store room to support laboratory functions
• provision of a dedicated ventilation system allowing the THC2 laboratory to be constructed without interruption to the main building systems.
• a rigorous security philosophy to meet Ipsen’s and the Home Office anti-terrorism legislation.

Part of the success of this facility is directly attributed to:

• Austin’s previous experience, during the design and delivery of the Phase 1 works, which gave consideration to the future development of the fallow area on the 2^nd floor.
• close collaboration between Ipsen and Austin which facilitated early identification of challenges.
• designing in 3D using Revit (BIM) to provide certainty on delivery and maintenance requirements. This meant there were very few site changes and therefore more control and certainty on cost and time.

Challenges presented included:

• carrying out construction work on the second floor which already accommodates a fully operational laboratory facility with stringent containment protocols.
• minimising access into functional occupied areas to implement services “tie-ins”.
• optimising the available space at roof level for the dedicated ventilation plant.