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November 30, 2023 marked the auspicious substantial completion milestone for OmniaBio Phase 1 after its kickoff in late 2021 and January 2022 design start. Multidisciplinary thinking, collaboration, and a holistic approach to solving problems and taking ownership were key to realizing this first-of-its kind facility in Canada particularly within the constraints of remote work and supply chain issues characteristic of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Facilities like OmniaBio are increasingly important in Canada post-COVID-19. During the pandemic, with few comparable facilities, the country’s limited ability to produce vaccines came into sharp focus. OmniaBio is planned to be a total of 400,000 square feet and will be the largest contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) exclusively manufacturing for cell and gene therapies in Canada.
Project Summary
119,000 square foot IPD-delivered biomedical pharmaceutical building
2years to complete design despite COVID-19/supply chain constraints
Net zero carbon operation design
Designed to achieve net-zero carbon operations
Arup provided a full suite of engineering services, including structural, mechanical, electrical, IT and communications, security, and sustainability services, joining general contractor Multiplex, IBI/Arcadis, McCallum Sather, Colliers Project Leaders, Guild Electric Limited, Sprint Mechanical Inc., Flynn Canada, Walters Inc. in one of the first integrated project delivery (IPD) projects in Canada of this scale.
Arup and its partners designed OmniaBio Phase 1 to achieve net-zero carbon operations using a high-performing façade and a connection to a district energy system with provisions for photovoltaics.
Integrated project delivery—one of the project’s most significant features
Integrated project delivery (IPD) allowed Arup to incorporate trade partner input into the design from the project’s onset. This delivery method requires all partners take equal responsibility and be equally invested in the process, and partners do better when they are united around common goals and priorities.
“IPD allowed us to finish in just two years, which is even more remarkable in the context of the COVID-19-related supply chain issues. Using traditional procurement methods, the project would’ve likely taken over three years to complete. ” Tudor Munteanu Project Manager and Senior Engineer at Arup
One example of this integrated approach was Arup’s sharing of our BIM models with the structural trade to facilitate the early ordering of steel. By working together in the same digital environment we were able to procure long lead items such as major portions of the structural steel just two months after the start of design. The air handlers and medium voltage equipment followed shortly after and were procured three and five months after start of design, respectively.
The on-time and on-budget substantial completion of OmniaBio Phase 1 is a great achievement for Arup and our Property and Social Infrastructure portfolio.
“The OmniaBio project exemplifies the efficacy of integrated project delivery. Our vision was to streamline the construction process and expedite the development of a cutting-edge CDMO infrastructure. Through effective collaboration and an unwavering commitment to excellence, we successfully realized our objectives. ” Frances Grabowski Former Vice President of Development and Design, McMaster Innovation Park
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