Calix, an industry leading technology company based in Australia, sought to expand its Maddingley Site and establish new laboratory environments.
Amicus was engaged to conduct a feasibility study to evaluate the short, medium, and long-term development options. The study involved workshops and interviews with Calix staff to understand their goals and methodologies. The study identified suitable existing buildings on the site for the planned expansion labs.
Although Calix did not proceed with any of the options from the feasibility study, it provided valuable insights into their needs and requirements. As a result, a new alternative emerged on the site, which was compared against the previous options, and Calix decided to move forward with this solution.
Amicus undertook both architectural and services design, including structural, electrical, security, mechanical, hydraulics, fire, and gas systems. A private certifier ensured compliance with Australian Standards and the Building Codes of Australia.
The construction program spanned over 14 weeks, including the Christmas break. The schedule was carefully structured to accommodate the availability of resources and trades. As it was a live site, Amicus managed the works and controlled the site, ensuring compliance with strict OHS&E policies approved by Calix. Before any demolition works, the site was made safe, and live services were disconnected and replaced with temporary services. The existing slab was prepared for the installation of new services and external trenching was conducted for laying new services to connect with the existing supply. Weekly coordination meetings and PCG meetings with the client were held to ensure clear communication, track progress, and address any issues.
One of the challenges faced was the use of an existing shed, which posed limitations. Strengthening the slab was necessary to accommodate a mezzanine floor, and the existing framework required reinforcement to support the mezzanine structure. The restricted roof height meant the services cavity between the two floors was narrower than usual, requiring meticulous coordination of mechanical, hydraulics, electrical, and fire systems. The project also encountered difficulties due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Resources were scarce, trades were at capacity, and materials had significant lead times.
The project resulted in the complete repurposing of a warehouse into a laboratory facility and office space for Calix. The renovated site now features PC2 laboratories on the ground floor and office spaces on the upper floor. An ante room was incorporated to separate the offices and labs, and a security point was established to control access to the labs.
The successful completion of the project provided Calix with the necessary laboratory environments to support their research and development activities, enabling them to meet their goals and requirements effectively.
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