The Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building (HMRB) is a groundbreaking 22,000-square-metre, 10-storey facility that seamlessly integrates medical research and clinical expertise with community, culture, and nature. As the first completed building in the Flinders Village, it features state-of-the-art laboratories and flexible workspaces designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Inspired by First Nations narratives of Kaurna Country, the building’s unique expression is characterised by contour lines and a distinct colour palette, responding to land, sea and sky, through its form, outlook, and materiality.

The facility’s complex laboratories and flexible open-plan workspaces prioritise researcher well-being. Full-height glazing enhances visual connection and spatial openness, while interconnecting atria provide biophilic break-out spaces, fostering social interaction and collaboration among researchers.

HMRB is the first medical research institute globally to achieve a Platinum WiredScore rating, highlighting its advanced digital capabilities. The facility prioritises sustainability, utilising 100% renewable energy and aiming for Gold ratings for WELL and LEED certifications. With its emphasis on community, wellbeing, and cutting-edge research, HMRB sets a new standard for medical research facilities in Australia.

Photography: Trevor Mein, Shannon McGrath