
“The establishment of a national synchrotron development in Melbourne is the most exciting and significant science infrastructure investment in Australia for decades.”
– Steve Bracks, (former) Premier of Victoria, 2006

Client:
Thiess
Location:
Clayton, VIC
Status:
Built, 2007
Floor Area:
13 000 sqm
Contact Person:
Ruth Wilson
Australia’s Synchrotron demonstrates that highly technical facilities can be both engaging and accessible. While requiring stringent performance, the facility also called for a signature form conforming to its internal constraints.
As a highly controlled environment, it was crucial to minimise the transfer of any external vibration, and to provide a vast, column free span.
A series of structural modules built around two bowed trusses on the east/ west spine of the building with secondary trusses running north/south provided the structural solution. This design maximises flexibility of use as well as future expansion of the number of beamlines and their associated labs.
A transparent, lightweight building
What makes the Synchrotron unique is its transparency and relatively lightweight construction.
The building’s metal skin is punctuated with performance glazing, suggesting movement rather than creating it, achieving a compelling form with a strong internal/external relationship.
13,000 m2
high-tech facility with a vast,column-free span
Introducing filtered daylight to perimeter offices and laboratories on both levels, as well as onto the experimental floor, maximises amenity for users, and transforms this high-tech project into a humane space.
Appropriately, the design considers a highly complex range of design and performance factors and avoids any hint of a fortress mentality in its expression of unified signature and form.
“The establishment of a national synchrotron development in Melbourne is the most exciting and significant science infrastructure investment in Australia for decades.”
– Steve Bracks, (former) Premier of Victoria, 2006
Client:
Thiess
Location:
Clayton, VIC
Status:
Built, 2007
Floor Area:
13 000 sqm
Contact Person:
Ruth Wilson
PCA National Public Buildings Award, 2007
Ruth Wilson
Principal
CCO
Sector Leader Public
Melbourne