BOND, a leading Boston-based construction manager and an AGC of Massachusetts member, announced recently it has completed construction of a two-phase infrastructure upgrade to the Barus & Holley Hall/Prince Laboratory Building, the largest research facility on the Brown University campus. The project was delivered via an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model, the first foray into this contractual delivery model by Brown and BOND.

Components of the upgrade included: a new fire alarm system, modernized elevators, and replacement of the building’s air handling unit. The building’s chiller plant and cooling towers, heat exchanger, electrical switchgear, and summer boilers have also been replaced. These upgrades prepare the facility for continued use as a first-class research and engineering building.

Sited on the Brown campus, the seven-story, 220,000 sq Barus & Holley/Prince Laboratory Building houses the University’s Engineering and Physics departments, and includes 117 laboratories, 150 offices, 15 classrooms, 29 laboratory classrooms, and three lecture halls.

Built in 1965, the building’s infrastructure had not undergone renovations and was lacking in reliability and capacity to meet current building codes. BOND worked closely with Brown University and the project’s design team of Imai Keller Architects and WSP Group Engineers to develop a comprehensive phasing plan and related sequencing/cutover protocols that would allow more than 100 scientists to not only remain in place but to be assured that no disruption of their science experimentation transpired.

Capacity of the high voltage electrical and HVAC systems were increased to accommodate science and experimentation in the 21st century. Upgrading these major systems around an active, sensitive environment required comprehensive planning, sequencing and much communication. The results were impressive with on-time completion and approximately 12 percent of additional scope completed within the original budget.

"The BOND team’s flexibility, ability to react swiftly to changes and uncompromising approach to the success of Brown’s first IPD is truly appreciated," said Michael Guglielmo, director of project management for the university.

The IPD delivery model – a first for Brown, BOND, and the project’s design team – is a collaborative alliance of people, systems and practices that come together to optimize project results, minimize waste and maximize efficiencies. This contractual relationship allowed the project team members to collectively manage and share project risks.