Introduction to the Concept

The PCE HybiDfMA System philosophy combines Offsite manufactured structural components with in situ concrete creating a flexible design approach for any frame configuration, resulting in high quality, fast build innovative solutions and thus providing the client with exceptional value.

The structural solution for the Capella laboratory project comprised over 4,150 precast concrete components that included over 1,000 columns, beam and wall units, 1,5000m² of hollowcore flooring units along with 56 large volumetric box units and 89 stair and landing units, together with just over 4,000m³ of in situ reinforced concrete.

The offsite HybriDfma design solution for this project has proved that a primarily concrete ‘kit of parts’ approach to construction enables successful construction of very complex projects, allowing exacting technical requirements, including those more stringent than normally required to be achieved in challenging locations.

The offsite factory production of the stair and lift shaft boxes ensured the critical internal dimensional accuracy was maintained within the tight tolerance requirements of the finished core structure. Construction of the Capella Laboratory progressed rapidly because of the adoption of PCE Ltd’s fast erection programme, which was much shorter than would otherwise have been possible.