UTAS Medical Science 1, Hobart Building, Project, Photo, News, Design, Image

UTAS Medical Science 1, Hobart, Australia

University of Tasmania Medical Science Development – design by Lyons / JAWS

9 Aug 2010

University of Tasmania Medical Science Building

Location: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Architects: Lyons, Melbourne, Australia with JAWS – Design Architect, Australia

UTAS Medical Science 1 in Hobart

The University of Tasmania’s School of Medicine and the Menzies Research Institute bring together, in Medical Science 1, the aspiration to deliver leading edge world-class laboratories, clinical research and medical training facilities.

Initially called the ‘Co-location project’, the conceptual basis for the project was to create a synergistic environment for these once separated facets of the University. At the core of the concept is the creation of a ‘new culture’, reinforced in the building’s image and its social and functional planning.

As a singular university building in the public realm of the city, it invites the participation of the street: through its corner entry; large transparent windows and the interstitial atrium space between MS1 And the adjacent Heritage Georgian building ‘Hollydene House’.

On one face the building emphatically marks the city corner at Liverpool and Campbell Streets, whilst, on the opposite side, creating a dialogue with the landscape of the Domain Park and the vehicular movement of the Brooker Highway.

The building’s expressive fenestration abstractly references the surrounding mountain ranges and Derwent River. The curvilinear form of the building echoes the nonexistent Park Rivulet which was influential in shaping the edge of the city grid, upon which MS1 is tied. The shaped windows of the upper levels provide the occupants with a means to see the spectacular landscape with new emphasis. On the street, the window ‘arch’ forms reference an already established local typology whilst abstractly symbolising the mountains that background Hobart city.

The resolution of functional planning was determined by the differing needs of the PC2 laboratory and teaching facilities. The PC2 Laboratory, with its intensive reliance on services including fume exhausts, was best suited at the top of the building (Level 5), where as the teaching facilities were more suited to the lower levels (Levels 1&2), due to circulation loads on lifts and stairs. Staff accommodation was located between, on Levels 3 & 4. Connecting these spaces together, the central steel stair is designed as the feature and the heart of the building, offering the possibility for social interaction to staff, students and researchers.

A collaborative team approach, requiring intensive co-ordination was required to achieve an outcome suitable for the varying needs of the building program. A range of other specialist allied disciplines were also required in the development of the design, including heritage, archaeology and interpretive consultants.

Green Star 5 Star was used as a reference to establish the extensive environmental strategies for the building.

Lyons architects

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photo © Derek McGavigan, 2010

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pictures : Peter Bennetts

Tasmanian Architecture – Selection

For the first time in the history of the AIA Australian National Awards, Australia’s most prestigious residential award – the Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses, was presented in 2010 to a Tasmanian practice and house – the Trial Bay House by Hobart practice HBV Architects.

picture : Ray Joyce

A little known treasure, the Supreme Court Complex in Hobart by the Department of Public Works/Peter Partridge was recipient in 2010 of the AIA 25 Year Award for Enduring Architecture.

picture : Leigh Woolley

The National Award for Small Project Architecture was presented to the Strangio House, Tasmania, by Maria Gigney Architects.

picture : Matthew Newton