Renovation in existing buildings: Lorenz Consult implements projects in hospital and cleanroom environments

Regarding sustainability and climate protection, the renovation of existing buildings plays a central role. Lorenz Consult specializes in the hospital and cleanroom sectors. The challenges involved and current projects were presented in a lecture at the Lounges – Cleanroom Processes conference at the end of March in Karlsruhe.

Lorenz Consult, the consulting engineering firm specializing in building-specific planning and supervision services in the fields of healthcare facilities, cleanrooms for pharmaceuticals, food, and electronics, industry and steel construction, as well as planning technology 5D BIM and digitalization in construction, has long been focused on complex renovation projects in the hospital and cleanroom sectors.

Hospital Renovation: Ongoing Operations and Patient Protection

Renovating hospitals demands high standards in planning and execution. It’s not only about integrating new functions but also about minimizing disruptions to operations – especially to protect patients. Lorenz Consult has specialized in the particular requirements of hospital construction. This includes implementing extensive renovation measures and new constructions during ongoing hospital operations without endangering the hospital’s operation or causing downtime. Particular attention must be paid to medical technology and medical gases, as well as primary goals of patient and personnel safety, requiring precise planning and execution. Cost and schedule targets are central, but always implemented with the highest quality standards in mind.

An example of such a project is the new functional and entrance center at LKH Leoben, where Lorenz Consult successfully completed a project with a construction period of over three years – without disrupting ongoing hospital operations. A well-thought-out construction phase and logistics concept enabled the challenges of “building within existing structures” to be successfully managed.

Cleanroom and Pharmaceuticals: Highest Quality Standards in Production

Another area of expertise for Lorenz Consult is the renovation of cleanroom production areas. These projects require the utmost precision and close collaboration with clients to ensure product protection, personnel safety, and the minimization of production downtime. In the pharmaceutical industry, quality and adherence to schedules are crucial. Therefore, compliance with strict GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) guidelines is always at the forefront when planning and executing cleanroom renovations. Planning for cleanrooms during ongoing operations requires special measures to avoid disrupting production processes.

Innovative Planning with BIM and 3D Scans

A key component of successful renovation projects at Lorenz Consult is the use of modern planning technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D scans. These tools enable precise documentation of existing structures and seamless integration of new constructions into existing buildings. This allows early detection of unforeseen problems and collision planning within the 3D model.

The use of 3D scans and the continuous updating of the 3D model during construction phases ensure high planning reliability and reduce the risk of errors and delays. The BIM model is not only used during planning but also for facility management, ensuring that all changes and deviations are documented.

Project Preparation as the Key to Success

“The foundation for every successful renovation project is detailed planning and preparation. We place great importance on thorough documentation of the existing conditions and close collaboration with all stakeholders. A detailed construction phase and commissioning plan considers all necessary steps to minimize operational disruptions and optimize costs,” explains DI (FH) Markus Masser of Lorenz Consult. He adds: “The better the project preparation, the fewer issues arise during construction.”

As part of health and safety planning, the protection of the building and operational continuity are also ensured. This includes measures such as fire protection, dust protection, and ensuring the functionality of all technical systems during the renovation.