Here are our top 5 reasons why the demand for modularity should never be comprised on:
The future is always an unknown, and despite our best efforts to accurately predict what will or won’t occur, certainty is unachievable. In fact, it would seem that disruptive technologies and sudden changes in market demands are a common feature of the 21st century. So we ask, can your lab adapt timeously to the erratic forces of new staff requirements, new equipment and new tests?
Chances are you’ve waited a long time for your new lab. And chances are that you won’t get another new lab for another 10-20 years. Incorporating modular systems can cost as little as 20-35% more than a traditional lab, but these systems will have benefits for up to 20 years.
Adapting a lab with a significant amount of fixed components will require construction work that can last up to several weeks (and cost a prohibitive amount of money – but we’ll get to that). With modular components, your lab is easier to maintain and repair, thereby reducing downtime and making sure that it remains operational and efficient.
Assuming a modest 5% increase in operational efficiency, a modular lab will pay for itself in as little as 5 years. Don’t under budget a lab and force the project to make concessions and cut corners. These compromises will inevitably get very expensive down the road.
Due to the specialized nature of lab design and their long renovation cycles, most architectural firms and shopfitters are not aware of the modular systems available to labs. Demanding modularity means that you can test professionals to see if they are proficient lab designers.
While labs often have unique needs, the application of modular design (combined with the correct zoning of tasks and the implementation of flexible planning) will undoubtedly produce labs that, over their lifetimes, are the most efficient and cost effective option currently available.
Contact Beryl Labs for further info.
]]>Beryl Labs is proud to be in laboratory building industry; the research and teaching that occurs in a properly resourced facility directly contributes, in a myriad of ways, to the betterment of people’s lives. In the South African context, however, this may be especially true given the fact that leaders in science, technology, engineering and maths (the STEM fields) have repeatedly pointed out that human capital supply in these industries is far less than it could be. In other words, as a society, we should be directing appropriate resources towards the education of future scientists, engineers and technologists.
But, as is often the case, this is far easier said than done. South African education has reached a crisis point, becoming the focus of unrelenting criticism. Unfortunately, much of the furore is justified: in the 2015 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study report, South African students tested extremely poorly. At grade 9 level, we were ranked at 38 out of 39 countries for maths, and last for science1. The OECD has placed our education system at 75 out of 76 countries, and only 37% of children starting school go on to pass the matriculation exam. Just 4% earn a degree2.
Whereas there are many factors in play that have contributed to the debacle, from my own perspective, one aspect is weighing heavily on my mind. Out of some 25 000 schools, 85% have no labs, and only 5% have adequately stocked science facilities3. The Department of Basic Education’s Guidelines Relating to Planning for Public School Infrastructure4 stipulates that all public schools (both primary and secondary) must have 1-2 labs, depending on their size. This goal is clearly not being met. And whereas I am very much a believer in a holistic approach to education, the fact that only 17% of schools are without sports facilities (compared to the 85% without labs) suggests that we are not prioritising STEM education as much as we should.
A common misconception among educators and governing bodies is that labs are too expensive and out of reach for purely government-funded schools. Sponsors, however, have shown a willingness to come to the table. Our work at Batlhalerwa High School, generously funded by the Kaefer Group, is a prime example of how strategic partnerships can meaningfully tackle our current education crisis.
Over the past year, Kaefer has invested time and resources in various much-needed developmental projects at the school, including a refurbishment of the school’s assembly area and library. This year, with the assistance of Beryl labs, Kaefer is donating a science lab.
Historically, the school has enjoyed a high interest in the physical sciences; disappointingly, though, this enthusiasm amongst the students has sharply declined in recent times. On close inspection, a chief culprit for this downturn appears: learners have opted for commerce subjects over the sciences as they are tested (as part of their final Matric exams) on practicals that they have never performed due to the lack of facilities.
As the primary intervention in the effort to curb this increasing lack of participation, the school’s management approached their donor who in turn reached out to Beryl Labs to design and build a lab where practicals can be conducted. I can’t help but feel pleased that we have, firstly, a real chance to regenerate the lost interest in the physical sciences, and secondly, to make a truly positive impact on young lives. In my view, by giving curious minds the opportunity to study not only through a textbook, but also through a hands on empirical approach to the various sciences, we will ignite their imaginations and evoke a greater sense of excitement.
In summary, it is clear that significant obstacles lie ahead; but with innovation and the right equipment, I feel quite certain that South African students can succeed in a competitive and technologically progressive world.
Please contact us at Beryl Labs for further info on our cost effective school laboratory solutions.
David Yu, Director – Beryl Labs Africa
Notes:
A list of clearly defined objectives will help enormously when decisions between various alternatives need to be made. Common objectives include safety, upcoming audits, workflow efficiency, and an aesthetics update to please prospective customers, investors, and staff. Additionally, being armed with a list of well-articulated reasons as to why the execs should approve the project will make the process of pitching your vision much easier.
Once you have your objectives you can set about differentiating between must-haves and nice-to-haves. Must-haves are the elements of the project that are essential to realising your stated objectives. For example, if modernizing your lab’s aesthetic is your objective, then everything that looks old must be replaced.
It is vital that you pay the necessary attention to this aspect of the project. A quality pitch to execs will go a long way in having your budget approved, so always point out that efficient labs generate substantial value. Focus on that all important bottom line by highlighting the fact that a new lab can decrease operating costs, attract more customers, recruit better talent, retain talent longer, and reduce risk of injury and downtime.
Once the renovation has started, it’s far more difficult to add elements that were overlooked, so it’s imperative to have a thorough understanding of what equipment will be needed, and who will be working with the equipment. At this stage, it is very helpful to analyse and predict workflow: e.g. “Technician 1 receives sample A and performs task B. Then technician 2 uses equipment C to perform task D, etc.”
Most lab renovations, even smaller scopes of work, require a professional team consisting of a project manager, designer, contractor and suppliers. For smaller projects, a single specialist may provide all of these services. Previous experience in lab construction and design is always a must. If possible, ask to speak to references, and try to see already completed work. A good service provider should be able to provide substantial value before you even hire them: giving free advice on timelines, materials, products, and designs.
Now that you have the basics, feel free to contact the industry leaders, Beryl Labs and learn more about the ins and outs of planning your lab renovation.
Contact us here, or give us a call on +27 (11) 646 7231
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