Biosciences Research Centre Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The AgriBio comprises some 33,000 square metres of research laboratory, glasshouses and office accommodation for 400 researchers and students. Located within the research park at La Trobe University, the project is a joint venture between the University and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.

The facility is an agricultural research centre of excellence defining new plant and animal technologies, as well as identifying disease threats. The facility will replace a number of existing DPI facilities from around suburban Melbourne and incorporate facilities for the University's School of Agricultural Science.

The Facility comprises two separate research zones that are intricately linked through research. The internal facility provides accommodation for Physical Containment Level 2 (PC2) laboratories with associated office accommodation, a number of Physical Containment Level 3 (PC3) laboratories, small and large animal facilities as well as specifically designed glasshouses for both PC2 and PC3 research.

The external facility accommodates a large "headhouse" which has a number of glasshouses attached on either side from the central spine.

The project will provide the State of Victoria the basis to build on research into the future and ensure that food supply is protected and any threats are mitigated quickly.

Project Facts

Plenary Group is the project sponsor, equity investor and financial arranger for the project.

Location: La Trobe University Campus, Bundoora Victoria.
Client: Latrobe University/Victorian Department of Primary Industries Joint Venture
Value (NPV): A$288 Million
Builder: Grocon Constructors
Architect: Lyons Architects
Services: Honeywell
Financial Close: May 19, 2009
Completion Date: 2012
Contract Terms: 25 years, Design-Build-Finance-Maintain

Design Features

The key design aspect of the facility has been to achieve a 5 Star Greenstar rating using the Australian Green Building Council's Education Tool Version 1. In designing for a sustainable outcome, the facility accommodates energy efficient lighting and cooling, extensive recycled content in concrete and steel, significant cyclist facilities, as well as a trigeneration plant, together with absorption cooling, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Research laboratories and glasshouse design are specific facilities that are user driven to ensure optimal functionality and flexibility. A comprehensive design development process ensures the facility has been designed to meet the research and education needs of its users.

Beyond the working requirements of the facility, the need for collaboration between researchers was imperative, as discovery has its genesis in sharing information. The Plenary Research design was heavily weighted towards facilitating collaboration, ensuring meeting rooms and breakout spaces are strategically located in the building, as well as incorporating a light filled atrium which provides the central hub of activity and a key to way finding.

Innovations

Plenary looked for an innovative commercial solution to future proof master planning. To ensure future expansion could be achieved, Plenary delivered some 2,600m² (net area) of integrated future expansion capacity upfront, at no additional cost to the State.

In the short to medium term Plenary will initially tenant the expansion space to complementary and synergistic bioscience industry players, serving to foster collaboration and cooperation between industry and science. Should the space be required by the Joint Venture during the concession, it will be made available under a commercial arrangement to be negotiated at the time.

Local Economic Impacts

Through the construction period, the project will have generated over 600 jobs. At the peak of construction, over 400 workers are at the site daily. Over 85% of the trades will be performed by local subcontractors.

Plenary Group is proud to support the local construction industry and subcontractor market.

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Biosciences Research Centre Melbourne, Victoria, Australia