In-depth consultation between the Beca design team, client, architect and project managers has helped the complicated issues arising from these projects to be worked through in detail to resolution.
Since 2003 Counties Manukau District Health Board has been undertaking a series of complex clinical development projects at Middlemore Hospital, South Auckland. Larger and more modern facilities are required to cater for the increased demand for the treatment of patients in a growing region.
Beca was engaged to provide building services engineering for these projects, including a site wide infrastructure review to determine the ability of the existing plant to service new as well as existing departments, and a 20-year master plan for the site.
Probably the most demanding of all clinical departments, the National Burns Centre was completed in 2006. This high tech unit was designed to be retrofitted into an existing building not originally designed for modern clinical facilities of this intensity.
The refurbishment of the Radiology department was similarly challenging, as this intensely-serviced department needed to remain operational throughout construction, which was carried out in eight stages.
Refitting or adding to existing buildings remains a major challenge to many of the individual projects. For example, space restrictions in several buildings have required creative design solutions to allow advanced air-conditioning systems to be installed.
In 2008 the hospital opened a new Intensive Care Unit, one of New Zealand's most advanced. Other projects to date include a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Assessment and Birthing Unit, Ante and Post Natal Unit, Operating Theatre Upgrade, MRI Unit and Gynaecology/Ultrasound Unit.
Teamwork has been essential throughout. In-depth consultation between the Beca design team, client, architect and project managers has helped the complicated issues arising from these projects to be worked through in detail to resolution.