The Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR)

• New WAIMR facility will bring researchers together from around Western Australia.
• Facility will accommodate the highest international standards of scientific endeavours.
• Arup is using 3D modelling in collaboration with the project architect to enable efficiencies of design.

The new WA Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) facility is one of eight major projects planned for the QEII Medical Centre (QEIIMC) site over the next five years.

Designed by architect Hames Sharley to achieve a 5 Star or equivalent GBCA rating, the 10-storey facility will accommodate approximately 800 researchers and staff. The facility utilises international best practice to create a flexible and collaborative environment incorporating cutting-edge laboratories, laboratory support, offices, meeting rooms, a public auditorium and educational facilities within laboratories, as well as a public café in the foyer.

Arup is playing an integral part in the delivery of the WAIMR facility through the provision of structural, façade, fire and geotechnical engineering consultancy services for the design of the building. Close 3D collaboration with the project architect is enabling a more efficient design and rapid schedule. 

The landmark centre will provide the ideal interactive environment for medical breakthroughs with the facility actively undertaking early phase clinical trials to determine the suitability of potential new drugs and treatments prior to market entry.

Scheduled to open in 2014, the WAIMR facility will be the home to research bodies including The University of Western Australia, Lions Eye Institute, Heart Research Institute, Lung Institute of WA and Keogh Institute.

Following our current successful involvement in the WAIMR project on the QEIIMC site, Arup has since been appointed to provide structural, façade and fire engineering consultancy services for the design of a second WAIMR building on the Fiona Stanley Hospital Site in Murdoch. This facility will investigate the genetic and environmental causes of a range of diseases.