The main building works of The Mater Hospital commenced in September 2009 and the project was fully completed in 2014. A strategic approach was taken in the design and build of the New Mater Adult Hospital in Dublin from the outset to designing out waste and delivering high levels of recycling.
The comprehensive site waste management plan included sharing the responsibility for waste with all the subcontractors to encourage good practice throughout, high levels of segregation which have to date ensured that 93% of waste has been diverted from landfill, and a strong focus on design features that prevent waste.
The site was inner city and tight, and cranes oversailed the existing hospital and neighbouring sites, including a private hospital. Sisk ensured that the works were well-serviced and managed without interfering with our client's or neighbours' operations.
Due to the highly sensitive research and treatment equipment in use, we focused the use of structural steel for providing fast and efficient service risers and plantroom structures, additional floors on existing buildings, and the main entrance foyer.
There were some very challenging temporary works brought about by the introduction of the enabling works for Metro North on one section of the site. These works isolated a key section of the site, both for access and egress, and could have had a critical and adverse delaying impact on the construction of the A&E department, “Hot” Lifts, Imaging and Operating Theatres.
However, by altering the foundation design, and delivering a temporary façade and services function, Sisk completed the construction and completion of 70% of these Departments to make them operational, and then at a later stage “bolted on” the outstanding 30% without impacting on the use of the Departments during that later construction process.
The works, which were carried out entirely within a live hospital environment, involved the complete fit-out of an Oncology Day Ward in a previously constructed shell-out area. The works comprised structural alterations, demolitions, services diversions, erection of partitions and provision of finishes to healthcare standards.
Services in the form of mechanical ventilation, LPHW heating and general power systems were provided together with comprehensive life safety, ICT and security systems all of which were tied into and fully integrated with existing systems. An Aseptic Compounding Unit served by dedicated plant and systems was also provided complete with 5 No. Cytotoxic Isolators and constructed to rules governing Medicinal Products in the European Union.
A hospital revolves around the provision of suitable services, which are life and mission critical. A full complement of mechanical and electrical services was included in the contract along with installation of lifts and escalators. The Energy Centre comprised the installation of four 2.5MW dual fired boilers, three 2,500Ltr calorifiers complete with all associated pipework, pumps, electrics and controls.
With two live hospitals either side of the site, along with residential streets adjacent, managing the security and challenge of such a large site took a great deal of planning and communication. In advance of commencing the works, Sisk detailed the different phases of the programme of works by way of story boards and drawings, and explained how the site would be managed to all the local stakeholders.
