About the Building

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Designed by Lahznimmo Architects, in association with Wilson Architects, the objective was to create a “flexible and evolving research facility” able to adapt to developing research programming. It divides naturally into a formal but flexible “Laboratory Box” and a fluid “human strand” containing write up spaces and areas for collaborative work.

As a research facility, the Lowy Cancer Research Centre is heavily serviced but utilises all possible available technology to reduce its ecological footprint, including

  • use of a campus wide bore water aquifer recharge system for roof and storm water and gas fired cogeneration
  • research write-up workstations are within 6m of natural light, reducing the need for excessive artificial lighting
  • recycling of waste heat generated by plant equipment for use by the cogeneration plant via absorption chillers, reducing heating and cooling energy costs.
  • latest in energy saving technologies, utilizing daylight harvesting dimming systems, energy efficient light fittings, motion detectors and a selective range of lamp types to reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs.

It is one of the first facilities to be assessed for a 5 star greenstar rating using the Green Building Council of Australia’s education tool. Major awards for the design include Australian Institute of Architects, (NSW Chapter) – Commendation for Public Architecture (2011), International Property Awards – Asia Pacific Region – Best Public Service Architecture Australia (2011), Randwick City Council Urban Design Awards – Public Buildings Category Winner (2010), MBA Excellence in Construction Awards – Winner Tertiary Buildings over $50 million (2010).

Given the building’s distinctive architectural style and bold interior colour scheme, the successful incorporation of art relied upon combining a strong theme with the correct placement. From the UNSW Art Collection’s extensive holdings of work by prominent Indigenous artists, abstract paintings in warm earthy tones and traditional bark paintings with graphic representations of the Rainbow Serpent – the source of all life to the Aboriginal people – were selected to enhance the open spaces and meeting rooms throughout the Centre.


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