The South Australian Health and Medical Research Centre (SAHMRI) is the first project in South Australia, and the first laboratory building nationwide, to achieve a LEED Gold Rating – a global mark in environmental excellence.

Sustainability was at the heart of the building's strategy, as it was recognised that a sustainable research building attracts the best researchers and funding, and creates a collaborative and productive environment for the occupants.

The building, which has become a landmark in Adelaide, can be recognised around the world with its eye-catching façade, which not only gives the building its unique look, but also works with its environment to create an energy-efficient building.

Key attributes of the facility include: passively designed floor plates that respond to functional requirements while providing maximum daylight where needed, optimised façade orientation and an innovative solar shaded dia-grid envelope skin.

The unique facade is designed to improve daylight, reduce heat gain and solar glare and maintain visual connection to the exterior for a healthy indoor environment.

KEY INITIATIVES

  • Passive building design, using orientation, shading, facade design and thermal mass to minimise the use of energy to condition the building
  • Energy efficient design throughout the building, allowing it to perform 18 per cent better than current code standards
  • Water efficient design, including rainwater harvesting, re-use of process water from reverse osmosis plant and connection to GAP water, leading to no potable water use in cooling towers or toilets
  • Incorporation of an intelligent metering system, which provides real time data on energy and water consumption, allowing facility managers to identify issues and adjust operations to minimise resource consumption
  • A sustainable procurement policy, to ensure all equipment, furnishings and finishes are selected with due consideration to their environmental credentials
  • A site-specific environmental management plan for construction, with a 94 percent landfill diversion rate achieved.