Image credit: HDR © 2018 Dan Schwalm
Located on an important site that defines a new campus gateway for the University of Sydney (USYD), the Life, Earth and Environmental Services Building (LEES1) is a clear demonstration of USYD’s commitment to scientific research and teaching. The LEES1 building will co-locate teaching, research and faculty accommodation and will house research laboratories as well as support and dry workspaces.
Steensen Varming provided the scheme design from which the detailed design was developed by the detailed design development role by the Contractor. Steensen Varming also provided client support in reviewing the design and the installations to ensure that they were compliant with the expectations for the university.
The original mechanical services design included air control valves to regulate airflow to/from the laboratories, maintaining the required containment conditions for various scientific areas. An alternative design was proposed by the contractor that omitted these valves; however, the associated control strategy did not appear to be viable. Through discussions with the contractor, Steensen Varming developed an alternative approach that eliminated the need for the valves by maintaining a constant supply airflow volume and controlling the proportion of outdoor air delivered to the laboratories. This solution was successfully implemented, and USYD accepted the building following successful commissioning under the revised strategy.