Green Chemical Futures
“Green Chemical Futures is a campus responsive building, contributing student and industry engagement spaces to the life of the University. The Graphene molecule inspired façade is open and engaging—creating a public dialogue between open space and the world of learning and research within.”
Neil Appleton, Director of Lyons
Green Chemical Futures fulfills the vision put forward in its name — it creates a green future for chemical research and education. Our design bonds the three elements of chemical education, research and practice in a singular form, with collaboration the central focus of the building. Within this singular form, open laboratories sit immediately beside write-up rooms and meeting zones so day-to-day research collaboration happens along the path from bench to desk. Visually informed by molecular structures, the building is the centrepiece of the science education and research cluster at Monash University Clayton Campus. The building elegantly addresses complex functional requirements of research and education and creates a collaborative environment that functions in harmony. Across the ground level, glazed public realm foyers and visible seminar rooms put industry collaboration on show, aligning student experience with external partners from first arrival. Our distinct design is a vibrant meeting place for students and industry professionals, providing world-class opportunities for collaboration and innovation in Australian research and manufacturing.
Research Buildings
Neil Appleton
Paul Dash
Monash University
Lend Lease
Green Chemical Futures, 13 Rainforest Walk, Clayton VIC 3800
Located on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung people
9,500 square metres
5 star Greenstar Design and As-built Education rating
Complete, 2014
Our consideration of how Green Chemical Futures (GCF) contributes to the broader campus strategy is one of the keys to its success. Framing the science walk with terraces and shaded edges, the building acts as a connective hinge within the precinct. GFC is the centrepiece of the new North West Science Precinct and one of the first buildings in the new Monash Masterplan’s urbanisation of the campus. With a primary aim to make chemistry both engaging and exciting, we designed a playful and immersive educational environment. Visually, the building brings a rich aesthetic to the campus, making it a distinct landmark. GCF addresses the campus through multiple entries into generous open glazed foyers to the east end of the building. Those entries lead into a looping route through teaching labs and collaboration zones, making intuitive wayfinding for first-years and visitors. The result is a building that functions as a hive of activity while also contributing to an integrated precinct.
At the core of the design for the Green Chemical Futures (GCF) is our vision to create a sustainable future for chemistry. This is achieved through both the form and function of the building. While materials and finishes throughout are low emission and recyclable, we have prioritised occupant control and comfort. These choices make performance felt as quieter, draft-free comfort in teaching and research spaces. Reducing energy consumption was achieved using a very low velocity mechanical system, reducing fan power and utilising fabric ductwork in the laboratories. We strategically designed the plantrooms on each level at the west end of the building to minimise the run of ducts and exhausts through the Vierendeel trusses to and from the labs. Routing services this way preserves column-free spans and supports flexible floorplates as programs evolve. The long span of the main structural beams provides column free space within the labs and offices and allows the space to be easily reconfigured for future expansion. Based on molecular chemical models, GCF’s façade provides self-shading at an optimal 53 degrees, achieving a balance between natural light penetration and thermal performance. The hexagonal depth also tempers glare so instruments and screens remain readable without blinds. All laboratories and office spaces feature outstanding natural light and views.
Green Chemical Futures (GCF) combines Monash University’s Chemistry undergraduate teaching and research with the Centre for Green Chemistry, a centre for excellence in the study and application of sustainable chemistry. Placing these programs side-by-side with shared project rooms encourages translational research with industry partners. By combining teaching, research and industry in one design, GFC is the catalyst for a new, sustainable future for chemistry. The design places scientists from chemistry, chemical engineering and biochemistry amongst undergraduate students and industry partners in an open, shared project. Highly transparent interior glazed screens offer views into the research laboratories, specialist equipment rooms and open office spaces from every level. These visual links double as passive supervision, supporting safe laboratory planning without isolating teams. Within the laboratory and office spaces the expansive views and natural light make work spaces appealing spaces to spend time.
This building is a flagship project that represents our ability to design superior student experiences as well as world-class research facilities. Locating student hubs alongside the teaching floors shortens steps between labs and support, strengthening the student experience. The collaborative facility combines flexible undergraduate teaching laboratories with complementary student support, including a media conference room, tutorial space and group-focused student hubs. The combination of teaching and practice in the one facility, sharing collaboration space, circulation and internal views with the research and translation facilities, gives students tangible connections to career paths. The white circulation loop is set to pass glazed research zones and collaboration rooms so ‘next-step’ roles are encountered on the daily route. Our design of an infinitely looping white circulation path links teaching, research and commercial chemistry into a holistic experience. Modular furniture solutions facilitate group activity throughout the foyers, supporting the expansive teaching labs on the lower levels of the building, enabling students to continue working around laboratory practical sessions. Power, writable walls and AV at these points turn the foyers into a true learning landscape, not just waiting space.
Neil Appleton, Directors, Practice Executive
View Neil's ProfilePaul Dash, Senior Principals, Practice Executive
View Paul's Profile
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