University of Queensland Elkhorn Refurbishment

Constructed in the mid-1970s and largely untouched for over four decades, the Elkhorn Building required a complete internal strip-out back to the base concrete frame. Significant structural works followed: existing columns were strengthened using a custom self-compacting concrete mix poured through coreholes, a new suspended slab and structural steel roof frame were constructed for the fifth-level services addition and power to surrounding campus buildings was transferred to a temporary switchboard to protect critical university infrastructure during works.

The most technically complex element of the project was the construction and certification of multiple Physical Containment Level 2 (PC2) laboratory environments. These included a shared microbiology and chemistry laboratory, a tissue culture facility with six dedicated growth rooms and a PC2 plant facility — all requiring precise pressure hierarchy management, specialised mechanical ventilation systems, piped laboratory gases (including CO₂, hydrogen, helium, argon, nitrogen and vacuum lines) and full PC2 certification.

Tissue culture rooms were delivered with custom modular stainless steel racking systems capable of housing 1,200 tissue culture tubes, with specialised grow lighting, UV and heat modelling, and automated alarm monitoring to protect long-term research.

The new façade — custom-fabricated curved panels in 0.8mm Rimex INCO black mirror polished stainless steel — required prototype development and close collaboration with the cladding contractor to achieve the precise curved profiles. Glazed black brickwork, perforated black metal screens and endemic landscaping completed a cohesive architectural language recognised by the Australian Institute of Architects.

All works were carried out within an active university environment, with construction carefully scheduled around exam periods, and external services works — including a new fire ring main and deluge tanks — coordinated daily with the university to prevent disruption to surrounding buildings.