South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute—A Case Study
Richard Marshall, Woods Bagot
South Australia is entering an exciting new era in health and medical research through the establishment of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), a world-class, state-of-the-art flagship research facility to be located on North Terrace in Adelaide, South Australia.
The establishment of SAHMRI provides a unique opportunity for South Australia to consolidate its position in the health and medical research sector, both nationally and internationally, through the attraction of key researchers across research themes of importance to both the state and the world.
The new institute will bring top researchers from different fields together in a new world-class facility. The institute will ensure a clear focus on health and medical research activity in South Australia, help recruit and retain leading research teams, attract increasing levels of national and international funding, and enhance collaboration between different stakeholders.
It is intended that the SAHMRI will be an independent center that will be integrated into the greater health system, while facilitating connectedness and working with a broad network of nodes of the institute. These nodes will be set up at related universities and teaching hospitals to capture specific expertise and develop complementary areas of research, ultimately enhancing the collaboration with clinicians and academia.
Above all, the institute will foster excellence.
The facility will house the headquarters for the new Institute and accommodate up to 675 researchers. The facility will provide fully flexible laboratory space to physical containment (PC)2 standard, organized as nine research modules consisting of one-third dry and two-thirds wet laboratory spaces. In addition, the facility will include a vivarium, a cyclotron, open public space areas, cafes, and retail stores.
SAHMRI Headquarters will comprise a total gross floor area (GFA) of approximately 25,000 square meters. A holistic and integrated design approach created seamless external to internal transitions. The developed façade design builds on the concept design by using a parametric tool, which integrates the various environmental, programmatic, and formal requirements to generate a shading system that changes accordingly. The façade diagrid framing system creates triangular structures with diagonal support beams and glazing elements.
The SAHMRI is due for completion in December 2012.
Biography:
Richard Marshall is the Joint Group Managing Director for Woods Bagot and Chairs the firm's Global Studio Executive. He is also responsible for directing Woods Bagot's urban design practice globally. He has worked as an architect and urban designer for 19 years conducting architectural and urban design projects in the Middle East, Australia, the United States, and China, as well as other parts Asia. Woods Bagot is a leading global design studio operating in five regions: the United States, the Middle East, Australia, Asia, and Europe.
Mr. Marshall was associate professor and director of Urban Design Programs at the Harvard Design School. He has authored three books: Emerging Urbanity – Global Urban Projects in the Asia Pacific Rim (2003), Waterfronts in Post Industrial Cities (2001) and Designing the American City (2003). His latest writing appears in two new publications - Josep Lluis Sert: The Architect Of Urban Design and Urban Design. Mr. Marshall is a member of the Australian Institute of Architects and in Adjunct Professor of Architecture at the University Technology Sydney. He is based in San Francisco, California.