In the heart of Adelaide’s thriving biomedical precinct, a revolutionary facility has taken shape – the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research (ABC).
Designed by internationally renowned architects, Woods Bagot, this ground-breaking project is set to become the Southern Hemisphere’s first proton therapy and research centre.
Encompassing 32,000 square metres across a 15-level building, the ABC is between the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the University of Adelaide Medical School.
Construction of the building by Lendlease and installation of the proton therapy unit (PTU) is on track for completion by late 2023. After extensive testing and calibration, the centre is expected to treat its first patients in 2025.
A highly advanced form of radiation treatment, proton therapy, delivers a precise radiation dose to cancerous tumours, while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This targeted approach makes it safer for children and adolescents, whose developing cells are more susceptible to radiation damage.
Once operational, the ABC will treat 600 to 700 patients annually. The centre will also be a hub for world-class research, fostering collaboration between scientists and clinicians to improve cancer treatments and therapies.
The innovative design of the $500 million centre is a testament to Woods Bagot’s commitment to creating sustainable, future-focused buildings that contribute to the health and wellbeing of their users.
The ABC houses the PTU within its lower levels, with a plaza level serving as a mediator between the PTU and dry labs on upper levels, which will host clinical trials and research.
Project Architect, Anoop Menon, says beyond complying with Australian building codes, the building is on track to achieve the prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold rating, a green building certification used worldwide. This rating signifies the centre’s commitment to environmentally responsible construction and operation.
The SAHMRI building completed in 2013 achieved a LEED gold rating and their clients sought the same international recognition for the ABC, Menon says.
A key contributor to the project achieving a LEED gold rating is Kingspan’s Kooltherm K10 G2 Soffit Board and K10 Plus Soffit Board. This independently certified high-performance insulation reduces energy consumption and resists fire and moisture.
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