HMRB UPDATE
DECEMBER 2022
Welcome to the December update for Flinders University’s
Health and Medical Research Building (HMRB).
In this issue we’ll provide an update on construction, HMRB's fans,
and a sneak peek of the building's cutting edge façade.
The centrepiece of the Flinders Village development, the Health and Medical Research Building (HMRB) will be a world-class biomedical research facility for Southern Adelaide. Providing a catalyst for investment in the South, HMRB is creating 750 construction-related jobs over 2.5 years and, once complete, will be part of a 20,000 strong employment hub and the base for approximately 670 people.
With a focus on collaboration, HMRB will bring together researchers, healthcare and industry partners to translate world-class research into better outcomes for our community. HMRB is Flinders University's investment in future healthcare that will change lives and change the world.
Construction Update
Despite the wet weather, HMRB is rapidly taking shape. Over the next few months, we’ll see significant milestones in the building’s progress as it reaches its full height.
So far, the west core has been completed up to Level 9 and the east core to Level 9M (mezzanine). These cores are the towers you can see from many spots on campus, and have almost reached their final height.
Inside, the Level 6 concrete slab has been completed and works are now progressing on Level 7. First fix fit out is progressing in Levels 1 to 4. The in-ground infrastructure works along University Drive, which are helping to connect HMRB to water and sewage, will continue over the Christmas break and into early 2023.
Early next year, the first façade panels and fins will be fitted to HMRB and we'll start to see the true shape of the building emerge. You can get a sneak peek of the panels and read about the story behind their design below.
And HMRB isn’t the only thing growing. Remember these little seedlings planted by Chancellor Stephen Gerlach AM, Kaurna Elder Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O’Brien AO, Flinders Council member Sharon Wilson, then-Premier Steven Marshall and Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling at the building launch in December last year? They are the first seeds for the Indigenous bush medicine garden that will be planted alongside HMRB, and they’ve spent the winter loving the rainy weather. We can’t wait to get them out of their pots and into the ground once they’ve grown a bit more.
A special thank you to all our precinct partners, who have been both patient and flexible with the changing traffic conditions along University Drive, Sturt Drive and Sports Road. We will continue to keep our neighbours updated as these works progress.
The seedlings at the time of planting (left), and Kaurna Elder Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O’Brien AO with the rapidly growing gum several months later (right).
Sneak peek!
Construction of the façade panels and fins is underway. A total of 1,971 panels and 872 fins will be made and installed, beginning early next year and taking place over 12 months.
On this panel you can also see the part of the Kaurna Kuri design by artist James Tylor, which will feature on the façade and parts of the building's interior. Inspired by body painting from the traditional Kuri ceremony, James' design represents the coming together of people to exchange knowledge and information.
You may already be familiar with some of James' work: he, along with Wiradjuri architectural designer Samantha Rich, created the Wardli (shelter) in the Yungkurrinthi Inparrila Cultural Gathering Space, next to the Yungkurrinthi Trruku (Building) at Bedford Park.
Building for the future
While researchers in HMRB are focussed on the next big breakthrough, the building itself will also be hard at work, doing its bit for a brighter future.
HMRB will use 100 percent renewable energy for electricity, generated on-campus by the sun and supported by wind power from SA wind farms. Its façade is as smart as it is beautiful, with panels and high-tech glazing deflecting 75 percent of the sun's heat to reduce the need for artificial cooling. With an eye to the future in more ways than one, HMRB’s design also includes a Climate Change Adaption Plan to take changing climate impacts into account. And with a target of 100 percent waste diversion from landfill during construction, it’s already working to protect our planet.
Health and wellbeing are central to HMRB’s mission, reflected in its design and location. Its proximity to Flinders railway station is an incentive to use public transport and provides easy access to our Tonsley and CBD campuses. For those who prefer to travel under their own steam, dedicated end of trip facilities and a bike store make commuting or a lunchtime walk a breeze.
Open indoor spaces will feature greenery and promote natural light and air circulation – and a gentle encouragement to take the stairs. Outside, the Indigenous bush medicine garden will be the perfect place for reflection or a quick break.
Our building is not only targeting Gold WELL and LEEDS certification for sustainability and wellbeing; it values our health and the future of our planet just as much as the dedicated researchers who will call it home.
Inspiring the next generation
Our Flinders Childcare Centre children have been learning about cranes and construction sites, inspired by the work they can see taking place from their play areas. An excursion, facilitated by Site Engineer Amelia Rosella, meant the children were able to talk to the crane drivers via walkie talkies and learn more about what's happening on-site. It’s been a fabulous learning experience for everyone involved!
Cranes and Crohn's
24-year-old Jordy Lambropoulos may have been disappointed by the view from her window at Flinders Private Hospital at first, but she was soon asking one of the most common questions about construction: just how do those crane drivers get to work?
Jordy already has a large following on TikTok, where she posts about her experience with Crohn's Disease. She asked her audience for answers, turning her channel, as she puts it, into cranes and Crohn's. The video captured not only the attention of her online followers, but also the wider community, racing to 20,000 views overnight and approaching 500,000 views a few weeks later.
Members of the Hansen Yuncken team saw the video, and the rest is history. You can see Jordy's story, covered by 9 News, below.
Timelapse September 2022
Support HMRB
HMRB is all about collaboration - between researchers, industry, healthcare professionals and the community. By breaking down barriers, we know we can achieve great things and change lives. And when we come together for a common goal, we can truly be fearless.
That's why we're reaching out to our Flinders community, to ask them to work with us and support HMRB in becoming the world-class facility our researchers need.
If you would like to find out how you can support the vital work that will take place within HMRB, please contact Mark Goldsmith, Senior Manager, Advancement on 7221 8302 or via email. You can also donate online here.
If you were forwarded this email and would like to subscribe for further updates, or to unsubscribe, please email HMRB@flinders.edu.au
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