Micro Health Laboratory
The University of Queensland
Beyond the foundation buildings and the clarity of the spine, the Gatton campus gets complicated, with a proliferation of material types, poor circulation and back-of-house sensibilities, including loading docks and high level windows, with little or no pedestrian amenity. The campus that was considered lifeless, “you never see anyone there and there is nothing happening”.

Into this context we were asked to insert a new PC2 teaching laboratory for animal health and dissection.

Abstracted from the outside world to control contaminants, the interior is the result of codes and standards, while the exterior is the humble brick of the established local context.
The clinical interior and brick exterior come together at a large TV window to overtly expose the activity within.
 
Info
Client:
The University of Queensland
Location:
Land of Contested
Gatton
Size:
200 m²
Status:
completed
Typology:
Lab
Quotes
Despite the difficulties inherent in a managing a somewhat remote project with a very tight budget to a fast track program you were able to control costs in a very responsible and effective manner to deliver an excellent quality product in a timely manner to the satisfaction of all key users.
Peter Davies, Project Manager. The University of Queensland, Property and Facilities Division
They have developed particular expertise in the design, documentation and contract supervision of both new and refurbished labs ... able to liaise with end users at all levels, overcome planning hurdles and keep a tight rein on costs with good humour and a high level of professionalism.
Peter Davies, Project Manager, The University of Queensland Property and Facilities Division
Congratulations on your laboratory project for The University of Queensland. It looks a very beautiful and intelligent project. It is reassuring to know there is thoughtful work happening in Queensland that is not tree houses, sticks and shade cloths. Congratulations again.
Carey Lyon, Director, Lyons
Cited
Awards:

2004 DIA Queensland Design Awards: Design Innovation and Excellence Award: UQ Micro Health Laboratory

2004 DIA Queensland Design Awards: Award of Merit – Public Art Collaboration: UQ Micro Health Laboratory

2002 AIA Queensland Architecture Awards – State Award – Art and Architecture Award: UQ Micro Health Laboratory

2002 AIA Queensland Architecture Awards: State Award – Public Building, Institutional Building Award: UQ Micro Health Laboratory

Publications:

2015 UQ Microhealth Laboratory in, Brick. Phaidon Press Ltd.  pp 56.

2004 Micro-Health Laboratory, in, The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture. 2004. Comprehensive ed. London: Phaidon. p. 24.

2002 Micro-Health Laboratory, in, Noble, L.

2002. Lab Cubed. Architectural Review Australia, Vol. 78: pp. 46-51.

Exhibitions:

2004 The Design Institute of Australia Awards & Exhibition, held at Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane. 5 to 14 June, 2004. Micro / Health Laboratory UQ Gatton Campus, and, RAIA Stage Set Design 2002.

2004 ART + ARCH Infinite Exhibition, held in various sites across Brisbane, 09 September to 03 October 2004. ‘Work in Collaboration’ (Michael Banney and Dirk Yates) shown at City Hall.

The building takes on the role of redefining the precinct – a new brick counterpoint rendering existing buildings successful for their quietude.
An economical veneered façade created with just two bricks, some of which were cracked open with a bolster, laying bare their seldom seen, extruded clay innards.