
The University of Malta has just opened its new Home Economics Lab at the Junior College campus. C & C were entrusted with the holistic design of the lab including both the MEP installations as well as furniture and appliances. The overall layout was jointly established with the Home Economics Department at the Junior College as well as the UOM Estates and Works Department.
The lab features a number of distinct areas, including
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A lecture area with interactive white board facility
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A cooking area comprising a number of electric as well as gas hobs and ovens, refrigerators, an RO plant, and a number of wash stations. Semi-industrial kitchen hoods have been installed above the cooking ranges.
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Textile section including sewing stations, washing machines and ironing facilities.
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Small workbench area
The entire area is air conditioned and the plant is sized to cater for both lectures as well as practicals
Throughout the design process two major considerations were energy efficiency as well as accessibility. In fact there is an entire station with cooking and washing facilities which has been specially designed to cater for wheelchair access. Air conditioning units are of the inverter driven VRF type whilst all lighting is of the T5 type with electronic ballast. All appliances are of the high efficiency type in order to reduce energy consumption.
The lab is also fitted with a number of safety measure including a fire detection system and an LPG detection system. In the event of a gas leak being detected or the fire alarm triggering, the LPG supply shall be automatically shut down.

Posted on Monday, 05 May 2014