Microbiology & Food Safety Laboratories

The project involved a complete overhaul of a previously unused space (formerly a small animal facility) at the CFIA's laboratory center in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. It was transformed to accommodate expanded and consolidated labs for microbiology, food safety, and trichinosis diagnostics. Additional space permitted the organization of support areas adjacent to the central labs and the creation of a clerical work zone outside the lab space along a new window wall.

During construction, the main challenge was to ensure uninterrupted laboratory operations. The project was executed in phases to minimize disruption, carefully relocating departments after each stage of the renovation. For instance, the trichinosis department was temporarily moved to enable the demolition of the old animal installation.

The project also entailed adapting and designing new electromechanical systems.

Sustainability was taken into consideration, incorporating general principles like energy efficiency, material selection, and natural light integration. Although not seeking LEED certification, the project adhered to PSPC's environmentally responsible construction and renovation handbook, including a Waste Management Plan for recycling and waste diversion. In electromechanics, existing infrastructure was modified for energy recovery and efficiency, focusing on selecting new, more effective equipment and optimizing operational sequences.