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Interim Post-Entry Quarantine Facility
About the Project
Precision in construction and finishing, with the team building to less than a quarter of a millimetre tolerance to pass the client's rigorous testing standards.
Ministry for Primary Industries
Client
December 2023
Completed
Auckland
Location
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The construction of the Interim Post-Entry Quarantine Facility (IPEQ) for the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in Mt Albert, Auckland was completed in early 2024. This highly specialised project began in March 2022 and included the construction of new greenhouses and a headhouse.
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Though the buildings appear deceptively simple, “just” twelve 30m² glasshouses and a 110m² headhouse built on a standard slab with a seismic join between the two buildings, it was the first of its kind in New Zealand. As a result, the project posed a complexity that challenged the design and construction teams. The technical complexity of the project was one of the most challenging aspects. Since there were no buildings like this in NZ to refer to, the designs were updated regularly, and the teams learned together. Despite these challenges, the team passed the Certificate of Compliance (COC) without issues.
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The IPEQ project was also notable for its elevated level of contamination management and air handling requirements. The team had to integrate a system that included grow lights, shade sails, misting systems, fogging systems, humidity systems, mechanical air, and internal lighting and maintain medical levels of isolation between all the spaces. This required precision in construction and finishing, with the team building to less than a quarter of a millimetre tolerance to pass the client's rigorous testing standards.
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Throughout the project, the team demonstrated Leighs' Pride, Passion, and Excellence values. They met MPI's high Health and Safety expectations every month, and a notable highlight for them was passing the testing and pressure regimes.
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