Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU-6)
Laboratory Renovations and Safe Haven
Lima, Peru
With the mission of developing and evaluating interventional methods and products to mitigate health threats, NAMRU has extensive biomedical lab and support facilities as a part of the Peruvian Navy Hospital. MRI / TLC prepared design and construction documents for the renovations to
Building 1 – Laboratory Space and a Safe Haven/Laboratory Support Building.
Renovations to the existing 22,814 GSF two-story research facility provides a 2,400 GSF administrative office addition along with two new stairways. The renovation was a complete “gut” and redesign of all floors for new laboratory and administrative spaces. MRI introduced flexible “Universal” lab concepts for BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory spaces that will allow NAMRU-6 to continue to adapt to changing research platforms and requirements. Work included new mechanical, electrical and plumbing/fire protection; Code and Life safety Upgrades; and Site work consisted of upgraded utilities, parking, and landscape work.
Building 1 – Laboratory Space and a Safe Haven/Laboratory Support Building.
Renovations to the existing 22,814 GSF two-story research facility provides a 2,400 GSF administrative office addition along with two new stairways. The renovation was a complete “gut” and redesign of all floors for new laboratory and administrative spaces. MRI introduced flexible “Universal” lab concepts for BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory spaces that will allow NAMRU-6 to continue to adapt to changing research platforms and requirements. Work included new mechanical, electrical and plumbing/fire protection; Code and Life safety Upgrades; and Site work consisted of upgraded utilities, parking, and landscape work.
A 2,649 square foot addition accommodates medical/laboratory training facilities and incorporates a safe haven, designed in accordance with the U.S. Department of State specifications. The Safe Haven serves as a hardened emergency sanctuary and performs as a short-term protection against forced entry and ballistic attacks and long-term (3 days) shelter during natural disasters. Seismic modifications improved the AT/FP compliance for the existing building. When not being used as a Safe Haven, it will be used for training, lectures, conferences, and as an overflow work area. |
Our design approach to this project was an implementation of our “Goal Balancing Approach”. This project started with an outdated budget and program that did not meet the current user’s needs. A complete budget evaluation had to be performed and tested with new reasonable construction costs in order to determine the building size and a workable program. This process for this evaluation required interviews with staff to determine the current needs and goals, while working with the U.S. Navy, Corps of Engineers and laboratory staff to determine how the fixed budget was to be allocated in regards to fees, site development, equipment, and building. The program and budget and external costs were continuously evaluated through weekly design meetings and design charrettes with project Stakeholders.
"Assessing Official Comments:
QUALITY: MRI's work is exceptional in every way; from the quality of the designs to the responsiveness. The Owner, Pete Ikegami responds while on leave, TDY, at night, etc. This responsiveness of MRI and it's staff and consultants combined the excellent quality of their work and their willingness to think outside the box is the reason I will go back to MRI again and why the customer BUMED is asking for them for additional work in Peru. The quality of the designs have resulted in few change orders due to design flaws. This last year, USACE received numerous top customer evaluations for projects which MRI designed. SCHEDULE: MRI met or exceeded every schedule except when impacted by the Government's failure to perform reviews or provide information on time. The greatest benefit was MRI's ability to make up time and stay on schedule when the Government failed to deliver it's contractual requirements in a timely manner. This willingness to go up and beyond contractual requirements to deliver a project on time insures that a BDI job will always be delivered on time. COST CONTROL: MRI's cost estimates are accurate. It is tough to develop accurate cost estimates for Construction in remote areas of Peru under the best of conditions, but especially so when the tax rates are increasing and currency rates are fluctuating and the Government falls due to corruption charges. MRI is also flexible in finding alternative products which will work to save costs and still meet the intent of the UFC and the various US, International and Peruvian building and seismic codes. No significant weaknesses we noted. MANAGEMENT: MRI provided very good management throughout the design and subsequent construction. This is especially difficult for a small business architectural firm with multiple consultants each having multiple contracts for their own clients. MRI has managed this task order brilliantly under difficult conditions. ADDITIONAL/OTHER: MRI has met are exceeded every requirement/category, many substantially. The customer has requested USACE bring MRI under contract for subsequent requirements. I definitely recommend MRI for future work with USACE." Name and Title of Assessing Official: Name: GARY WHIGHAM Title: Ch. Design Branch Organization: USACE Engineering Division Phone Number: 251-690-2669 Email Address: gary.w.whigham@usace.army.mil Date: 07/02/2018 |