Learn more about our approach to.
P-DfMA sees the project as a whole, understanding the positive and negative effect of each design decision on as many other aspects of the project as possible; seeking shared efficiencies between all elements of the building.This is unlike traditional design and build, where a project is often more like a linear series of separate tasks, where consequences can be passed down the chain..
So unlike in standard construction, M&E system requirements – initial and on-going – are factored in from the start, in minute detail, as an integral part of the design.We include routing and fixings in the design of the fabric of the building, with precision, so as to minimise on-site adjustment and facilitate installation.We maximise the use of off-site pre-fabrication, and share elements across M&E services as much as is practicable..
This approach means that, for M&E services, as well as across the whole project, we reduce cost, time, materials and waste, while increasing quality, worker safety and overall efficiency..It is Bryden Wood’s integrated approach – where our M&E team forms a core part of the project team – that makes this possible.. M&E design at the Forge: a working example.
The Forge, a commercial office development with Landsec in central London, is the first major building to use P-DfMA from building design to delivery.
The benefits of P-DfMA are showing in many areas of the project, but not least in the installation of M&E building services, in RIBA stage 5..Airtightness is a particular challenge that can make a perfectly adequate office facade ill-suited for lab use, or may result in suppliers unwilling to guarantee lab performance, or disputes during commissioning.
In such cases, rather than re-clad the building (which defeats most of the point of a conversion) a possible solution is a ‘box in a box’ lab fit-out, though this will be more expensive and will reduce net usable space..Furthermore, given how much energy labs consume compared to an office it may be sensible to improve the performance of an older façade, which will, of course, add cost and programme, and there can be other issues around cladding, for example, some systems and materials used in offices are not accepted by life science businesses and insurers for fire safety and loss prevention reasons.. Office finishes are unlikely to be suitable for lab use, and it is almost always best to complete a full strip-out of the office at the start of a project.
This will simplify design and construction in the long-run, and will often expose hidden defects or complications (see below.)Raised access floors will also ideally be sealed or removed to minimise future sources of contamination.