The Institute for Regeneration and Repair (IRR) is a research institute based at the University of Edinburgh, and incorporates the Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM), Centre for Inflammation Research (CIR) and the Centre for Reproductive Health (CRH).
Requirements
Following the construction of The University of Edinburgh's Institute for Regeneration and Repair (IRR) building, approximately 465 staff members from various buildings within the Edinburgh BioQuarter and around 20 staff from the Lauriston Campus needed to be relocated to the newly completed facility. This relocation process, planned in phases, had to be accomplished within a timeframe of 10 weeks, inclusive of weekends, and would involve the transfer of laboratory equipment, personal belongings, IT infrastructure, filing systems, and general office items from six existing premises to the new building.
Solution
Upon appointment, a planning meeting was held between Pickfords and the University to discuss the move principles, arrangements, and co-ordination.
The Pickfords Move Project Manager in consultation with the University then created a detailed move programme for the project.
Further briefing meetings were held to discuss proposed arrangements for the move. As the move progressed, each briefing was preceded by a de-briefing from the previous move.
The plan included the provision of a full sequential packing and unpacking service for departmental filing, general office items, general laboratory equipment and other items required to move, including;
- Staff Personal Items
- Laboratory Equipment
- Fridge/Freezers (-20 freezers, and -80 freezers), along with biological reagents, samples, and chemicals)
- Staff Desktop IT
- Specialist and High-Value Equipment
- Heavy Equipment (such as 400kg optical tables)
Pickfords’ environmental management team also provided the removal and ethical clearance of furniture and WEEE waste from the existing buildings, as identified by the University.
Approach to health and safety in a 'live environment'
All Pickfords staff allocated to this project were fully aware of and complied with the site rules of the University for contractors working on-site, including; Health & Safety, alarms, fire precautions, and entry and exit points from each site.
Summary
Pickfords delivered a comprehensive solution to The University of Edinburgh for its transition into the new Institute for Regeneration and Repair (IRR) building, ensuring minimal disruption to staff and adhering to the agreed-upon 10-week timeline and allocated budget.