Consortium to Design CSIRO Lab Upgrade for Disease Research
Upgrades to the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness will support country's response to future pandemics.
Engineering, design and advisory company Aurecon has been appointed by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, to design new laboratory spaces as part of the refurbishment of the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, in Geelong, Victoria. ACDP is a high-containment PC4 facility built to allow scientific research into highly infectious agents.
Aurecon and major partners HDR and Wood have formed the BioDesign Collaborative to deliver the project.
The project aims to future-proof ACDP’s extensive high-containment laboratories and ensure the continuation of CSIRO’s capability to prevent and respond to exotic and emerging animal and zoonotic diseases in Australia.
“As part of the BioDesign Collaborative, HDR is honored to provide local and international expertise for the design of this innovative facility," said Steven Riojas, HDR global director of education, science and advanced technologies. "The critical research being done will advance animal and human health and safety, improve quality of life, and have a lasting impact on communities in Australia.”
The facility will bring people-centred design to the forefront, providing labs with access to natural light to support the wellness of staff and attract talent and collaborators. Spaces will match future research demands and technology, while maintaining the facility’s multiple levels of security and biocontainment.
Built in 1985, ACDP’s PC4 laboratories are part of a network of high-biocontainment facilities worldwide. The collaborative's refurbishment will include a new laboratory wing to replace existing laboratory space and is expected to be operational by 2027.
About HDR
For over a century, HDR has partnered with clients to shape communities and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Our expertise spans more than 10,000 employees in more than 200 locations around the world — and counting. Our engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services bring an impressive breadth of knowledge to every project. Our optimistic approach to finding innovative solutions defined our past and drives our future.
