Victoria University of Wellington | Laby Building | Chemistry Lab Refresh
Client: Victoria University
Project Type: Community, Education, Advisory
Project Manager: Dan Bradley, Jake Oram
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
BPM is proud to have been appointed as Project Manager acting as Contract Administrator and Independent Certifier. We are supporting Vicotria University by administering the NZS 3916:2025 contract fairly and impartially, including design review, cost assessment, variations, payment certification and completion.
Victoria University needed to refresh Laboratory LB 116 in the Laby Building, a chemistry teaching lab on the Kelburn campus. The upgrade had to improve safety, accessibility and teaching capacity, and it had to work around a live university environment and a tight programme.
NZS 3916:2025 is the updated New Zealand standard for design and construct contracts. It sets out clearer contract administration processes and replaces the old Engineer to the Contract with two distinct roles. Having one team that understands both the project and the contract helps the University make decisions with confidence.
The refurbishment covers the full range of work a modern teaching lab needs:
New student laboratory benches with integrated service spines, sinks, wet-work areas and under-bench storage
Fume cupboard relocation and modification, including accessibility upgrades and one new fume cupboard
Laboratory ventilation, bench extract and dangerous goods extract design
Hydraulic services, including emergency showers, eyewash stations and chemical-resistant drainage
Gas and vacuum reticulation
Electrical, data, security and access control upgrades
Accessibility improvements to circulation routes and doorways
Seismic restraints to services and equipment
Building consent and compliance certification
Laboratory refurbishments are where design and build administration is tested. Services are dense, compliance is strict, and users' needs evolve as the design develops. Independent oversight lets the University and the design and build team work through those changes on clear terms, with decisions documented and costs understood.
Delivered in partnership with Westlab Spaces, specialist laboratory design and build contractors with over 30 years' experience in the scientific community.
Complex Environments. Seamless delivery.
Talk to BPM about your laboratory or education project.