WSU Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building

Western Sydney University (WSU) Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building is a purpose-built building featuring collaboration and socialisation spaces, as well as office, education, and research facilities. The 6,000m², 4-storey building is integrated in the Campbelltown Hospital Precinct with connections to the adjacent Hospital building and WSU Macarthur Clinical School building.

The sustainable 6-Star Green Star certified development demonstrates excellence in design and planning, developed in partnership with government, industry, and higher education partners. The landscaped surrounds activate the Parkside Crescent frontage and provide accessible pedestrian zones and connections to adjacent buildings.

LCI partnered with BVN, providing Mechanical, Electrical, ICT, Audio-Visual, Specialist Lighting, Fire Protection Services, Hydraulic, Vertical Transport, Fire Safety Engineering, ESD, and Acoustic services.

The vision and objectives of the facility are to:

• Integrate health, research, and education precinct at Campbelltown, delivering world-class research, innovation and improved health outcomes for the Macarthur region and wider community.
• Expedite applied/translational research and education.
• Attract and support staff growth, development, and retention.
• Facilitate scientific, clinical and industry collaboration and innovation within the Health, Education and Research Precinct.
• Optimise resources and leverage partnerships across the South-Western Sydney research network.
• Complement the growth and development of Campbelltown Hospital by embedding a research culture to enhance quality services.

The Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building was designed with long-term energy performance efficiency in mind. The approach aimed to minimise energy consumption by adopting pragmatic solutions through reliable passive strategies.  We adopted strategies that provide immediate benefits by identifying the facility’s hours of usage, thermal zones, ventilation requirements, and power profile. Strategies included:

• Providing air systems which have long operating hours with low static plant and reticulation systems, providing a naturally ventilated atrium and circulation spaces relying on relief air to temper,
• Using thermal mass to ameliorate extreme ambient temperatures in naturally ventilated spaces,
• High-performance facades, and
• The incorporation of a 65 kW roof-mounted PV array.

Energy efficiency strategies were carefully integrated into the design to maximise long-term asset performance and operational effectiveness. The resulting solution delivers a highly efficient, resilient, and sustainable asset that supports the University’s long-term operational requirements.