Designed by Woods Bagot, SAHMRI 2 will house Australia’s first proton therapy unit for cancer treatment – the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research. Woods Bagot has released concept images of the new facility, which will be located in Adelaide’s growing health and biomedical precinct.
Occupying the lower three levels of the new facility, SAHMRI 2 will deliver the most technologically advanced, precision radiation therapy in the Southern Hemisphere, with the potential to be part of the cure for a significant number of cancers. The precise nature of proton therapy allows radiation oncologists to target cancerous tumours directly with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This makes it a suitable treatment option for tumours close to vital organs or previously untreatable cancers.
“The original SAHMRI was a catalyst in the resurrection of inner city Adelaide, and the evolution of an internationally-regarded health and biomedical precinct,” says Woods Bagot director Thomas Masullo.
“The design of SAHMRI 2 echoes the gravitas of this precinct where state-of-the-art technology is part of the city’s ongoing transformation.”
The vision for SAHMRI 2 is to provide flexible, intelligent and high-performance research and work spaces that connect people across teams, disciplines and generations. The new building will complement and accentuate the striking geometric façade of the flagship SAHMRI facility, which draws its design origin from the natural contours of a pine cone.
A purposeful and restrained approach has informed the design of the tower component, with repetition of glass panels, rectangular curtain walling and sun shading system, creating an elegant and sophisticated design aesthetic.
Along North Terrace, the corner site has three frontages: one to the city, one to the river, and one to Adelaide's convention and entertainment precinct. A transparent building lobby, retail areas and an outdoor plaza will activate North Terrace.
Image: Woods Bagot
The integration of built form and landscape results in a variety of public and private open spaces which Mr Masullo says will promote a flexible and healthy environment responding to the needs of staff, clinicians, patients and the community.
SAHMRI was Australia's first laboratory building to be certified as a Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Gold building. Similar high sustainability standards for the design are being applied to the SAHMRI 2 project.
