Making Waves: 3 Essential Considerations for Renovating into an Aquatics Lab

By Timothy Stratton

Are you considering renovating your space to accommodate an aquatics lab? Whether you’re a research institution, educational facility, or a commercial enterprise diving into aquatic sciences, there are crucial factors to contemplate before diving into the renovation process. Here are three key considerations to ensure a successful transformation:

Schedule

Renovating an aquatics lab involves intricate planning and execution. Establishing a comprehensive schedule and ensuring all stakeholders are on board with the timeline are paramount. This schedule should allocate sufficient time for design, construction, installation of aquatics equipment, testing, phasing, and acclimation of aquatic species. It’s essential to anticipate potential delays and allocate buffer time accordingly to avoid disrupting the project’s flow.

Benchmarking Tour

Before embarking on your renovation journey, consider conducting a benchmarking tour. This involves visiting one or more existing aquatic facilities to observe successful installations. Invite key stakeholders such as aquatic management, facilities personnel, designers, engineers, and contractors. This firsthand experience provides invaluable insights into various system types, design approaches, and installation sequences. By integrating these learnings early in the design phase, adjustments can be made to optimize the project’s efficiency without compromising quality.

Existing Building Challenges

Renovating an existing building to accommodate an aquatics lab presents unique challenges. From heavy racks and piping to floor trenching and structural bracing, integrating aquatic facilities requires careful consideration of the building’s existing infrastructure. Conducting a thorough survey of the space and reviewing existing documentation is essential. Consider initiating pre-construction investigations or extensive observations post-major demolition to identify unforeseen conditions early on. Ensuring compatibility between the renovation plans and existing building constraints is critical for meeting research housing requirements and avoiding costly setbacks.

Renovating an aquatics lab demands meticulous planning, collaboration, and adaptability. By prioritizing schedule management, conducting benchmarking tours, and proactively addressing existing building challenges, you can navigate the renovation process smoothly and achieve your desired outcomes. Whether you’re delving into marine biology research or aquaculture development, a well-executed renovation sets the stage for groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in aquatic sciences.

Ready to dive in? Contact Tim (tstratton@bsalifestructures.com) to transform your space into an aquatics lab!