The project consisted of the first phase of a two-phase internal remodelling, refurbishment and high spec fit out to a 55,000 sq. ft. two-storey building in the Zerox Technology Park, Dundalk, to deliver critical industry focused specialist training facilities in the Advanced Manufacturing and Technology space.
The building was repurposed from a Pharmaceutical Research & Development Building to an Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence. The scope of works entailed an assessment of the existing building fabric and the demolition and refurbishment of Phase I works identified by the client and Design Team.
It was imperative that this centre remained live and that industry/learners could continue training while works were being carried out hence a 2 phased approach was employed. Phase I works involved approximately 30% of the building footprint. A Fire Safety strategy approved by Louth County Council services heavily influenced the overall design.
Fit out works had a particular emphasis on the compartmentation of the building, the provision of dedicated escape routes, passive fire protection in addition to associated mechanical, electrical and life safety systems. The project required the re-configuration of the selected Phase 1 internal space including the forming of new spaces and escape routes to serve as an Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence for various new technological advanced manufacturing training courses. This phase of the project required an amount of stripping out of existing partition and ceiling systems as well as the removal and alteration of mechanical, electrical and life safety systems. The building was occupied by core staff during the phase 1 construction works. At all times the client required as much of the existing infrastructure to be retained/recycled e.g., reuse of existing glazed partition walls with ‘Circular Economy’ principles being applied where possible. This approach was employed as both a value engineering exercise but also in order to reduce the carbon content. This project commenced on site in January 2022 and reached substantial completion on 9th June 2022
Winner of ICE Awards 2023 under category “Fit Out or Refurbishment up to €5m”.
Client: Louth & Meath ETB
Design Team:
Contractor: CJ Callan Construction Limited
Civil/Structural Engineers: Hanley Pepper
Services Engineer: Patrick McCaul Consulting Engineers
QS: McGahon Surveyors