The contract to build the $206 million Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD) at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne in Fitzroy has been awarded to Kane Constructions.
The multi-award-winning commercial builder was shortlisted for the landmark project earlier this year and was recently selected to carry out the Main Works phase by a formal panel of representatives from ACMD partners, St Vincent’s and the Victorian Health Building Authority.
This next milestone stage involves finalising the design work and construction of the new 11-storey ACMD facility.
The new building will enable the translational research work that is currently being undertaken in a far smaller space at St Vincent’s Hospital campus to grow and continue on a much larger scale. Harnessing the strength of collaboration, bringing together engineers, scientists and clinicians to tackle complex medical challenges, ACMD promises to become a global heart for medical innovation.
Andrew Crettenden, ACMD Project Director said, “We are proud to be working with Kane Constructions on this next key stage of the ACMD project and excited to see our vision become reality, as the new home of ACMD starts to firmly take shape.”
Kane Constructions is also leading the Early Works phase of the project, which commenced in 2021. This stage has included extensive site preparation and demolition of the hospital’s Aikenhead Wing, once used as accommodation for trainee nurses.
“It is a privilege to be entrusted to deliver this important project,” said Stephen Theisz, Kane Constructions Director.
Construction of the new ACMD building is expected to start in January 2023 and is scheduled for completion towards the end of 2024.
ACMD Project Director Andrew Crettenden (right) with Kane Senior Project Manager, Jamie Rigg, at the Aikenhead building site.
Bringing a bold vision to life
The new purpose-designed Centre will incorporate:
- specialised 3D printing laboratories
- a human kinetics lab; insulated rooms that enable the development of sensitive hearing and vision technologies
- engineering workshops to produce medical device prototypes and robotics that can be used to fast-track clinical trials
- an education centre with multiple seminar and tutorial rooms
- a clinical simulation laboratory, and
- a large lecture theatre extending over two levels.
“The well-thought-out contemporary design provides an ideal environment that embraces our vision to be forward-thinking world leaders in health, exploring new horizons in research and medtech to help shape bold solutions for chronic illnesses,” said Andrew Crettenden.
The building’s south and west-facing facades will be comprised of glass and metal panels that cleverly reference crystalline structures associated with ACMD biomedical research. A full-height atrium is another eye-catching design element.
“The Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery will advance our world class medical research capabilities and generate life-changing breakthroughs – I look forward to it rising up into Melbourne’s skyline,” said Jaala Pulford, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy.
An artist’s impression of the ACMD building.
