Copenhagen

17 November at 8.00 - 18 November at 16.00

World-Class Laboratories Without Blowing Time and Budget

Research facilities are among the most technically complex building projects – and they come with some of the most demanding users, such as leading researchers who need laboratories tailored precisely to their work. In this event, we share our experience with how early involvement of the contractor – what we call Integrated Construction – can align technical systems, research requirements, time, and budget. You will gain concrete recommendations and supporting material that you can start using right away, whether or not you later join the masterclass for which you may be specially invited.

Early Contractor Involvement in Complex Lab Projects – Why It Works and What It Demands

In complex laboratory buildings, the technical systems – ventilation, cooling, cleanrooms and specialized equipment – are often the most expensive and challenging parts of the entire project. They ultimately determine whether the building can be used as intended. In practice, only the contractors possess the full technical expertise to design these systems. Yet, projects are still typically tendered in a traditional way, where the building is designed first and the contractor is brought in later. Too often, it then turns out that the tender requirements cannot be met within the given constraints.

This masterclass explores how early contractor involvement allows you to design technical installations in step with the rest of the building, so that you have a coherent, buildable design when the fixed price is agreed. You will learn how to use the contractor’s knowledge of cost and constructability to shape the design before the budget is locked – and how to do so without losing control as a client or adviser.

Why Early Involvement Makes a Difference

When the contractor is involved from the outset, the most complex elements can be developed collaboratively. International experience – including McKinsey studies – shows that collaborative contracts can improve time and cost performance by 15–20% compared to traditional models. The potential is clear, but it is not automatic. It requires a proactive client and a clear framework for collaboration.

At the same time, strong end-users – for example leading researchers – must have a real influence on the final layout and functionality. That is a strength, but also a risk: even small, late design changes can delay and significantly increase the cost of a project. Early involvement gives you tools to bring user needs into the project at a point where changes are still cheap, instead of ending up as expensive additions when the project is already locked.

What the Masterclass Is About

This two-day masterclass gives you the time and space to dive into what determines whether collaboration between client, contractor and consultants actually works in practice. It is particularly relevant if you are facing your first project based on an Integrated Construction model or early contractor involvement and want a solid foundation before you choose your approach.

You will work with, among other things:

The specific challenges of laboratory and other technically complex buildings – and how early involvement changes the risk picture.
How to structure collaboration so that contractor know-how on price and buildability informs design decisions from day one.
How to handle strong users and stakeholder demands without losing control of time and budget.
What early involvement demands of you as a client organisation – including decision-making, governance and internal alignment.
How to manage the economy when you enter into agreements without a fixed contract sum from the start.
Which contractual and procurement methods support Integrated Construction – and what experience shows works (and what does not).
How to keep things simple and focus on project success criteria rather than legal complexity for its own sake.

Who It Is For

The masterclass is aimed at clients, project owners, project managers, procurement professionals and advisers who work with – or are about to work with – Integrated Construction and early contractor involvement. It is particularly relevant for organisations with complex governance structures, such as universities and life science companies, where strong professional environments and researchers have significant influence on building projects.

Format: Two Days of Teaching, Dialogue and Cases

The masterclass runs over two days. The format is a mix of focused teaching, structured dialogue and practical case work. We build in concrete examples from real projects, including excerpts from agreements and tender documents, so that you can see how principles are translated into practice.

Discussions are organised around key themes, and you will exchange experiences with other participants throughout. Each day includes a dedicated Q&A session, where we address questions collected from you in advance. The goal is that you leave with both a strategic overview and concrete tools you can apply directly in your own projects – including being able to assess which projects are suitable for Integrated Construction and how to design agreements and frameworks that are effective without being unnecessarily complicated.

Keep It Simple – and Effective

It is easy to fall in love with new mechanisms and contractual options. But complexity costs focus and energy. In this masterclass we work from the premise that you should start with the project’s success criteria, not with the legal fine print. You add complexity only where you can clearly explain what it delivers, what it costs, and what it requires of you and your organisation. Often, a few well-chosen, simple measures are enough.

Instructors

The masterclass is delivered by two of Molt Wengel’s own specialists – not external guest lecturers. You learn directly from people who have been deeply involved in developing the Integrated Construction model and in implementing more than 100 projects with early contractor involvement.

Anders Jost Buch, attorney and PhD, who has helped develop Molt Wengel’s Integrated Construction model.
Camilla Faber Klausen, LL.M. and Head of Procurement and Collaboration Design, with procurement and collaboration design at the core of Integrated Construction.

The masterclass is based on their combined experience from advising on more than 100 early involvement projects.