Location: Bridgetown, Barbados
Client: US Department Of State (DOS)
Design: Page Southerland Page, Inc.

Palgag was awarded for the construction of the National Reference Laboratory. The facility includes two floors with an approximate combined area of 22,000 sq. ft.
This project was designed, managed and supported by the USG (DoS) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for medical research and testing and to be one of the key medical facilities in the Caribbean region.
The first floor includes mainly the laboratories, and laboratory support functions: Biosafety (BSL) Level 3 capabilities, as well as Hematology, Serology, Molecular Biology, TB, Bacteriology, Chemical Pathology, and Quality Assurance departments.
In addition, the first floor includes the following functions: Reception area, electrical room, mechanical and service rooms, and restrooms.

The second floor includes offices, training and meeting room, mechanical and service rooms, Doc center, lunch room and restrooms.
Palgag scope included the construction of the entire facility to include, among others, the following:
Demolition of existing structures, earth works, building shell, underground water storage tank, pumps room, water distribution system, plumbing, waterproof systems, architectural works and finishes, laboratories casework, utilities and designated systems, laboratory equipment, site improvements, site drainage and landscaping, to include parking area.
Utilities and designated systems included:

  • Electrical Works (Medium and Low Voltage)
  • Water supply and sewage system
  • HVAC System
  • Medical Gases Systems
  • RO system
  • Fire Detection and Protection Systems
  • BMS (Building Management System) Supply and Installation.
  • Access control system

Is important to note that due to circumstances created near the start of work at the construction site, PALGAG had to provide additional design efforts in order to complete adjust or amended the original design on different disciplines, most of them critical for the project, as the electrical and the HVAC system. For the HVAC system PALGAG provided a Value Engineering alternative which was approved by USG and implemented in the project.

The project was successfully handed over in December 2017.