Overview
The Molecular Biology Laboratory, which began in a tiny area in the ‘90s, started off processing 12,000 tests per year. It now processes over 10,000,000 tests per year – marking the dire need for an upgrade.
Successful delivery of this highly complex two-year project for Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, showcases Fosters’ expertise in managing construction within operational clinical environments.
About the project
Exemplifying teamwork, precision and client-focused delivery, the project, involving two NZS 3910 contracts under a single business case, was completed a year ahead of the 35-month schedule and over 10% under budget.
This exceptional result was achieved through a collaborative approach, with trust and seamless communication between key stakeholders: Octa Project Management, APG Architects, Fosters, and Health New Zealand staff.
Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) played a pivotal role, ensuring thorough design planning, sequencing, and alignment of client expectations from the outset. The five-phase project included refurbishing theatre administration, creating temporary and permanent laboratory spaces, and managing the intricate requirements of laboratory specifications.
Despite working within a highly confined and operational space, Fosters executed the project with minimal disruption to clinical activities, meeting stringent infectious compliance parameters and delivering to the highest standards of functionality and finish.
Fosters’ detailed noise control plan, tailored to minimise disruptions, was so effective that it has since been adopted nationally by Health New Zealand.
The outcome, including a new Point of Care Testing (POCT) lab, delivers a fit-for-purpose environment for Health New Zealand, incorporating the latest technology – housing 125 staff daily, and processing up to 5,000 specimens daily.
Client testimonial
Fosters won the tender process for this project based on the best tender price, a strong reputation and a healthy culture, said Octa Project Manager Jaco Schnetler.
“Working in a building that is over 50 years old, in a laboratory environment amongst a team of 125 who process up to 5,000 specimens daily, the project was highly complex” said Jaco.
“It was certainly not your usual construction site and ensuring the least disruption to operations was critical.
Noting that Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) was a critical success factor, Jaco said that Fosters were the ideal partner, for lots of reasons.
“Taking an ECI approach, Fosters ensured the design was well-planned and construction was sequenced with minimal disruption to the lab operations and the relevant staff” said Jaco.
Working within the confines of this operational clinical space, the team (Octa Project Management and Fosters) agreed on a practical five-phase approach that involved refurbishing theatre administration, creating temporary and new laboratory spaces, and seamlessly managing complex laboratory specifications.
“Fosters strengths were a combination of technical and interpersonal skills” continued Jaco. “Always fair and reasonable to deal with and in constant communication, we had complete trust in each other.”
Kay Stockman, Clinical and Operational Support Manager for the hospital, agrees with Jaco. “We appreciated the relaxed atmosphere that Fosters created” she said. “The project felt collegial, the team were respectful and friendly, and the staff appreciated that.
“Fosters’ project management was great. If ever there was something affecting our operations, I’d simply have to say the word and it would be sorted."
The business case allowed a schedule of 35 months to completion.
“Fosters beat the schedule by 33%” said Jaco, “coming in more than 15% under budget, too. An exceptional result.
“I would happily work with Fosters again” he added. “They have a company culture built on ethical principles, enforced from the top, down. In 35 years of project management and construction, across the world, I have never worked with such a great team.”
“Fosters beat the schedule by 33%, coming in more than 15% under budget, too. An exceptional result.”
Jaco Schnetler, Octa Project Management