Stage two of UNSW Sydney’s Biological Sciences Building upgrade has just been completed by Multiplex, continuing the regeneration and expansion of the world-class Biomedical Precinct.
Designed by Woods Bagot in collaboration with design teams TTW, NDY, ARUP and Surface Design, the Biological Sciences Building was designed to be flexible, supporting current research and teaching needs as well as providing infrastructure to support future technological advances.
Located at the Kensington campus in Botany Street, Randwick, the building has capacity for more than 450 staff and PhD students as well as 200 undergraduate biomedical and biological sciences students.
After finalising Stage One works in early 2017, Stage Two works involved the complete refurbishment and modernisation of the existing D26 Biological Sciences Building, as well as the seamless link between the new and existing buildings within the Biosciences Precinct.
The refurbishment of the D26 Biological Sciences building saw the strip out and demolition of the existing internal fit-out across eight levels and the construction of two new levels of rooftop plant.
Stage Two works also involved the construction of brand new mixed-use wet and dry labs and innovative teaching and laboratory spaces such as anatomy and animal research houses.
Works weren’t completed without their fair share of challenges, however, mainly in relation to the footprint of the building being wedged between three operating buildings – this meant minimal storage areas and difficult access for deliveries.
Multiplex also had to maintain an extremely safe environment for students as the building remained in use within the live construction site.
The Biomedical Research Precinct, which also encompasses the Lowy Cancer Research Centre and the Wallace Wurth School of Medicine, represents an investment of over $500 million in UNSW’s medical research facilities and infrastructure, and aims to provide a world-class environment for the training of the next generation of top researchers and technically qualified graduates.