The School of Medicine building is located at the intersection of University Drive and Ring Road. Sited on a steep, exposed hillside the building forms an entry statement for the Flinders University campus, whilst acting as a lantern at night. The design accommodates and reinforces the existing circulation of the campus; linking the University to Flinders Medical Centre. The architectural language of the building references, and physically links to the recently completed Health Science building. The restrained palette responds to its neighbor and meets Local Council requirements for a subdued palette on this hills-face site. The building’s form responds directly to the site’s natural topography. Integral to the design were construction techniques simplifying the erection of the structure on a site, challenging in terms of gradient, prevalent rock and proximity to busy arterial roads. A veil of louvres shade the glazing whilst maintaining 270° views across Adelaide. Internal and external circulation spaces activate the northern façade; whilst louvres filter the internal light. The School of Medicine has exceeded the client’s brief, within budget and program. The building maximizes the potential of this challenging site; it is functional, flexible, environmentally responsible, maximizes views and compliments the surrounding natural and built environment.
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