Client & Project Overview
BD is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies, with its Irish operations located at Research Centre Ireland (RCI), a state-of-the-art facility adjacent to the University of Limerick campus. To support continued growth and innovation, BD required the rapid expansion and modernisation of the site through the refurbishment of an existing brownfield facility. The project demanded high-quality research and manufacturing space delivered to exacting standards, within a challenging programme and tightly controlled budget.
PEMCAS was appointed to provide a fully integrated multidisciplinary service, including civil and structural, mechanical and electrical, fire safety, and health and safety engineering. Working closely with BD from an early stage, PEMCAS supported the project from concept design through to construction and phased occupation.
A key component of the delivery strategy was the use of detailed 3D modelling to develop and coordinate the design. These models allowed stakeholders to visualise the space, test layouts, and refine workflows early in the process, reducing risk and improving build certainty. The approach also supported off-site modular construction of key building components, significantly accelerating the construction phase.
In parallel, PEMCAS oversaw enabling works and demolition while progressing detailed design and securing statutory approvals. Modular construction enabled phased handover, allowing BD to commence occupation and start-up while construction continued. The completed project delivered approximately 6,500 m² of high-quality R&D and manufacturing facilities, meeting BD’s requirements within demanding timelines and budget constraints.
Key Insights
Modern modular construction techniques can deliver substantial programme and efficiency benefits when supported by robust planning and detailed design. On this project, early adoption of 3D modelling enabled informed decision-making, reduced on-site risk, and supported parallel workstreams across design, demolition, and construction. PEMCAS’s integrated engineering approach allowed modular construction to be leveraged effectively, facilitating phased occupation without compromising safety, quality, or compliance. The project demonstrates how combining detailed upfront planning with off-site construction can deliver complex, high-performance facilities faster and more efficiently—an increasingly valuable approach for R&D and manufacturing environments operating under tight commercial and operational pressures.
