Regional Science and Innovation Centre
Regional Science and Innovation Centre
| Client | University of Canterbury/Fletcher Construction |
| Location | Christchurch |
| Services | Project Planning |
| Value | $350 million |
The 25,000m² Regional Science and Innovation Centre is a state of the art science and research building replacing the previous 1950s Rutherford building.
Inovo was initially involved between 2012-2015, working directly for the University of Canterbury to prepare the Government Business Case, establishing the client brief and project plan. Subsequently, between 2017 and 2018, Inovo was engaged by Fletcher Construction to develop and monitor their construction programme and commissioning plan through to completion and handover.
The major challenge was the preferred site, which was squeezed in between the existing sciences buildings and over major site infrastructure and the contaminated central lecture theatres. With limited site access, no lay down areas and surrounded by operational buildings, each stage of the build was carefully planned with the main contractor to ensure construction activities and the university operation could co-exist safety with limited disruption.
On advice from Inovo, the BIM model and laser surveying was utilised to ensure building services were positioned with millimetre accuracy on site, which minimised installation errors and assisted with meeting the delivery deadline.
Inovo developed a staged commissioning and defects programme to allow the University early access to the more specialised labs and allow calibrations and compliance to occur prior to occupation. This turned a single stage commissioning programme into a floor-by-floor strategy impacting the entire construction programme. These changes were planned and implemented and ultimately allowed the University to be ready for the New Year.