QKine, Cambridge | Lab Fit

QKine, Cambridge

Client Brief

Client was looking to take on a lease for a two storey 450 sqm office to convert into labs and offices. The requirement was to modify the upstairs into a large open plan office, new WC block, new Kitchen/breakout area & meeting rooms. Downstairs was to be converted from offices/WCs into several Labs and associated rooms, with a Goods-In area. We were commissioned to do the work over a 3½ -month period with an initial budget agreed after developing the design and scope of works.

Proposal

First Floor
- New solid partitions were installed to modify the existing office/landing, and to form a new WC/Shower block.
- New kitchen area, with adjoining Breakout area for staff.
- Modifications to existing small power and data.
- New vinyl was laid to the landing, WCs/Shower block and Kitchen area.
- A New WC/Shower block was designed by our interior designer along with the all-new Public Health services and sanitaryware.
- New air conditioning cassettes were installed, as the existing VRF (originally intended to be kept) was found to be faulty and at end-of-life.
- New FCUs installed to provide ventilation to the Office areas and associated spaces.
- We supplied and installed all the office furniture & fittings.
Ground floor
- This is where the offices currently are. The existing WC block was removed, and incorporated into the new Ground Floor lab suites, spreading throughout the whole of the floorplan (except for entrance lobby & existing single WC).
- New partitions & doors installed to create new layout, including ceiling grid alterations/repairs. New lab-suitable ceiling tiles were installed throughout.
- New HVAC systems installed, including dedicated HEPA AHU for one end of suite, with FCUs used for balance of rooms. New air conditioning cassettes were installed, as the existing VRF (originally intended to be kept) was found to be faulty and at end-of-life.
- New vinyl flooring laid to all Lab areas
- We supplied and installed the benching to the client’s spec which included fixed & mobile benching (Trespa worktops) throughout. The mobile benches offered the client flexibility in the layout and for relocating equipment to suit any future changes to their processes and requirements.
- Sinks were supplied and connected by us. Other utilities were installed for other specialist equipment that the client required.
- New specialist gases (CO2) installed to 3 labs, including Gas Monitoring systems.
Generally
- Several doors fitted with Access Control, with control via central computer.
- Internal & External security and CCTV systems installed, with control via central computer.
- New external compound (bin store, bike store, gas cage, chemical store, storage shed) and landscaping.
- All M&E was tested, and commissioning certificates were passed to building control and client.
- New fire and smoke detectors were added to comply with new layout and regs.
- The whole building (internally) was painted and decorated.
- New Electrics & Plumbing services throughout.
- The project was completed 1 month after originally planned, but this was in line with several client variations (and all-new air conditioning systems), and on budget (original scope + variations).