Well-Orchestrated Sequencing Between Multiple Jobs Results in Flawless Execution of Sun Microsystems’ Menlo Park 12 Lab Project

Two fast-track projects that must be perfectly synchronized.

Compressed MEP schedules.

A seven-month, August 1 delivery deadline.

These were just some of the hurdles faced by DPR and the project team as they raced to complete a more than 10,000-sq.-ft. laboratory renovation for Sun Microsystems in Menlo Park, CA.

The project involved the demolition and renovation of existing space on the first floor of an occupied three-story building. The challenge: an existing mission critical laboratory located in the center of the floor. The laboratory, which took up a majority of the project area, needed to remain up and running in Menlo Park until its new location - also being built by DPR - in Newark, CA was ready for occupancy.

“It was a very tricky sequence that called for detailed planning and coordination of multiple teams,” said Jason Brown, project manager for DPR’s Menlo Park 12 lab project. “We had to move people out of Menlo Park and into Newark so that we could complete the complicated lab buildout in 10 weeks, in time for an August 1st move-in.”

To meet the demanding schedule, DPR worked backwards. “First, we identified the dates we needed to hit in Menlo Park and Newark, and then we met with the subcontractors to determine the scope of work and to secure buy in for the compressed schedule,” said Mickey Wagle, MEP Manager for DPR’s Newark 20 project. The final phase of four major projects DPR has built for Sun in Newark, Newark 20 is a new 130,000-sq.-ft. building, with 4,000 sq. ft. of mission critical laboratory space.

DPR utilized the same mechanical and electrical subcontractors, ACCO Mechanical and Rosendin Electric, on both jobs and together the teams studied and synchronized all aspects of the project, including equipment procurement, early deliveries and manpower.

The Menlo Park team also resequenced work within the laboratory space that featured raised flooring and infrastructure to support computer loads of 200 watts per sq. ft. to accelerate the schedule. For example, rather than a suspended ceiling sitting atop ceiling height walls, the team moved the walls to above the ceiling so that they did not have to wait for the ceiling to be installed before starting the walls. In addition, DPR assisted in the redesign of the mechanical systems and helped obtain building permits on behalf of Sun.

The end result: A smooth, coordinated effort with a winning, on time and within budget finish. DPR wrapped up the laboratory portion of Newark 20 for an early occupancy of April 11 (the original schedule called for May 31), and DPR delivered Lab 12 on August 1 - meeting the deadline and designated budget.