2012-09-05

Fima to implement one of Lithuania’s most sophisticated scientific infrastructure projects

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In late August, a consortium led by FIMA and Hidrostatyba signed a contract with Vilnius University to design and implement the new National Centre of Physical and Technological Sciences.

The centre, to be built in the Saulėtekis Valley, will be the largest and most state-of-the-art institute dedicated to research in physics, chemistry and technological sciences in Lithuania and will house more than 700 scientists and students.

Jonas Jablonskis, director of Fima’s Contractor Solutions Department, said that the complex will also be the biggest building dedicated to science in Lithuania with more than half of its total area – about 25,000 sq m – set aside for laboratories.

“We will be in charge of designing and implementing the entire engineering infrastructure of the complex and will build more than 250 laboratory premises, some of which will demand the highest sterility standards. The laboratories will have to provide the maximum protection against environmental contamination including exposure to dust, microbes, radio waves, the sun etc. We will build special ceilings, walls, floor coverings, automated ventilation systems, lighting and specialised laboratory infrastructure systems in some of the buildings,” added Mr Jablonskis.

Fima is also to design and install all engineering systems in the buildings including communications, power networks, security and fire extinguishing systems and a modern data centre.

Prof. Artūras Žukauskas, Director of the Applied Science Institute at Vilnius University and head of the project supervisory group, said that the new centre will boost the entire Lithuanian scientific research sector and will open up new opportunities for collaboration between business and science. “It is extremely important to have the centre located in the Saulėtekis Valley where there are already several universities. It will open the doors not only to scientists from these universities but also a huge flow of students. The centre will offer work for many MSc and PhD students who represent our scientific and technological future,” he added.

Construction work on the centre is due to be completed by 2015.