The project is a 5552m² approx. expansion to the northern & western sides of the existing Bausch + Lomb campus. The facilities provided include a new Iso 8(class 100,000) clean room production facility, cartoning facilities, staff accommodation and link corridors, new plant rooms, minor internal and external modifications and the provision of a mezzanine storage area to the existing building. The expansion also includes a new staff entrance and car parking facilities.
The external envelope of the extension is designed to present a contemporary and vibrant addition to the existing plant. The building celebrates the industrial form and function — but does so in an innovative form — whilst maintaining this functionality. The finishes have been specified to compliment the existing building and general industrial context. Architectural cladding, windows, louvres, roller doors and personnel doors are specified to match the finishes of the existing and adjoining buildings, with colour being utilised to add interest and create vibrancy to the expansion.
The layouts ensure the maximum integration of the expansion with the existing plant from both a functional and aesthetic perspective. Key to this is an integrated strategy for the movement of people, materials and waste to and from the expanded facility.
The creation of a manufacturing space, particularly in a large-scale clean room environment provides a particular architectural challenge, as the product manufacturing requirements and the human operatives requirements are very divergent. Therefore, the ambition of the design team and the client was that the needs of the manufacturing process, and the team who operate the process, would both be met, providing an environment where people could enjoy working on a daily basis. These two divergent requirements are met by the creation of bright, light-filled manufacturing spaces where every opportunity to introduce glazing and natural light has been taken, maintaining the specific environmental manufacturing requirements.
The external envelope of the extension has been designed to present a contemporary and vibrant addition to the existing plant. The building celebrates the industrial form and function but does so in an innovative form whilst maintaining this functionality.
‘The latest capacity expansion at Bausch + Lomb, Waterford sits in the campus as if it was always there. The new building develops the visual themes of its on-site neighbours with crisp lines and a welcoming entrance. Internally, the development adds to the flow, of people and materials, within a large site with many interconnected buildings. The visual impact, feel and finish within the building are consistent with our core function – Med Tech Device manufacturing. The Design and Construction Teams met the demands of the project. They have used creativity and discipline to deliver a building and an environment that is functional and vibrant.’
