Agribio Centre for
AgriBiosciences,
La Trobe University

The Agribio Centre for AgriBiosciences is a facility designed to set a new standard for science and research in Australia and across the world. The building brings together the largest agricultural research and development organisation in Victoria with La Trobe University. By co-locating scientists from multiple agricultural disciplines under one roof, new synergies can be created and collaborative science undertaken. The co-location model creates research collaboration spaces and shared platforms that shorten the path from experiment to application. As the design consultant in the successful Public Private Partnership consortium, we collaborated with leading scientific researchers and academics to design a purpose-built facility prioritising state-of-the-art features and sustainable design solutions. Located at La Trobe’s Melbourne campus in Bundoora, the building accommodates over 600 researchers in an integrated research workplace. From the outset, laboratory planning integrated PC3 workflows and biosecurity pathways so researchers and industry partners can work side-by-side safely. Our design for the AgriBio Centre is highly flexible, ensuring the facilities will remain amongst the most advanced in the world as technology and requirements continue to evolve within agriculture and bioscience research. Modular benches, adaptable services and clear decanting zones support lifecycle asset management and future reconfiguration without interrupting operations.

Sector
Research
Key Lyons contact
Neil Appleton
Client
Plenary Group PPP (public private partnership) - constructed for Department of Primary Industries and La Trobe University
Location
5 Ring Road, La Trobe University’s Melbourne campus in Bundoora
Traditional land
Located on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people
Size
30,777m²
Sustainability
5 Star Green Star As Built
Project status
Completed, 2013

“AgriBio is a critical public asset to Victoria… The facility represents the innovative vision of the State and the Joint Venture (JV) partners to create a world class research facility, and our design and construction members have worked with the JV to bring their vision to life.”

John O’Rourke, Principal of Plenary Group

A world-class interconnected centre

We designed the Agribio Centre for AgriBiosciences to be Australia’s international leader in agricultural bioscience research and development. To achieve this, the project features some of the largest interconnected super labs in the world, design strategies to facilitate collaboration and connection, and a range of highly technical spaces. The facility is organised in research quadrants over three levels, which interconnect around a large public atrium space. Super labs, open write-up areas and visible stairs foster a connected research workplace across wet and dry teams.

The central bridge provides linkages across the different research and office environments. Within the atrium space are a diverse range of teaching and social interaction spaces for staff, students and the public. This central atrium provides a unique collaboration space between the physical laboratories and the write up office areas. The research wings are connected at each end and in the centre to optimise connections between science groups. The arrangement improves wayfinding and everyday collision points, building a collegial culture within the research precinct.

Research spaces feature unique requirements for specialised projects, including large animal autopsy rooms, as well as a number of PC3 laboratories, and PC3 glasshouses for plant research. Centralised shared collaboration lounges are positioned at either end of the linear atrium to take advantage of external views. Workflow zoning maintains clean/dirty separations and supports quarantine, while collaboration lounges give teams restorative outlooks.

“We enjoyed engaging with users via the Plenary Consortium, to shape a facility which will foster innovation in Agribio-security to secure the future of this vital industry. Not only does this project facilitate world class Agribio research, it’s Green Star design will make it a highly sustainable enterprise for years to come.”

Neil Appleton, Director of Lyons

Achieving high amenity alongside leading sustainable design

Designed to facilitate some of the world’s most cutting edge solutions in bioscience, the architecture of the Agribio Centre reflects similar aspirations for world-class design. The project manages to achieve a high quality environment for many researchers alongside a low carbon footprint, a unique achievement for a large complex research laboratory. When completed in 2013, the project was the first facility to achieve a 5-Star Green Star As Built Education v1 Rating in Victoria. Efficient building systems pair with robust lab planning to deliver stable conditions for sensitive research.

Aspects of the environmentally sustainable design include rainwater harvesting, stormwater retention pond for landscape irrigation, a tri-generation plant, mixed mode ventilation, thermally broken frames on the facade and maximum use of natural light. The design creates strong visual connection with the external natural landscape where the retention of significant trees has been prioritised. Mixed-mode ventilation and thermally broken frames enhance comfort for long-duration lab work and reduce energy demand.

The landscape around the centre features Australian native plants and a pond that collects runoff from the adjacent car park. Native plants are prioritised at the entry of the building too, with the main landscaped courtyard formed around an older river red-gum. Water-sensitive urban design and native planting strengthen the biophilic campus experience and support wellbeing.

Neil Appleton, Director of Lyons said of the design:

“Agribio at La Trobe University is a massively complex facility but a simple elegant design – the beautiful plan form taking inspiration from a butterfly – driving collaborative research work practices. The founding design move was retaining the two remnant redgum trees which now feature at the entrances to the building.

We enjoyed engaging with the users via the Plenary Consortium, to shape a facility which will foster innovation in Agribio-security to secure the future of this vital industry. Not only does this project facilitate world class Agribio research, it’s Green Star design will make it a highly sustainable enterprise for years to come.”