Neuroscience Research Australia NeuRA

Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) is an independent, not-for-profit research institute. Its research work is focused on the human brain. This project is stage 1 of a planned neurological research precinct within the Randwick education/health district. The NeuRA precinct is to be delivered in 4 stages, accommodating 700 researchers.

The design intent for the stage 1 building includes: Creating an enduring and memorable identity and image for the research organisation – one that not only gives it presence on barker street, but more critically gives it a distinct identity within the international research community; Creating rational and flexible research floorplates which afford maximum social exchange and research collaboration; Addressing the client’s brief for the architecture to be “freely poetic and expressive – as opposed to the ‘reductively’ rational”

The stage 1 building includes shared facilities to the total future precinct as well as open, transparent, shared research environments where researchers are clustered in flexible cohorts of 6-10. A ‘serrated or chevron skin’ solution addresses the urban design, technical (reflectivity, solar penetration and geometric) issues on the south and east elevations, while at the same time facilitating a memorable image for NeuRA – addressing their principle brief requirement.

Project Info Architects: Cox Architecture Location: Sydney, New South Wales Client: Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) Project Status: Completed Key Consultants: AECOM (Davis Langdon), WT Partnership, Taylor Thomson Whitting, Shelmerdines, AJ Whipps, PKA Acoustic Consulting, Tract, Cundall, Access Associates, Windtech, VOS Cox Team: Joe Agius, Mark Davey Contractor / Builder: Richard Crookes Constructions Cost: $40,000,000 Gross Floor Area: 13,000m2 Year: 2013 Type: Research Center