Case Study

Co-Labs

Notting Hill, VIC
600 sqm (Lab), 500 sqm (Office)
Completed 2024

Background

Co-Labs and Amicus Labline have a long-standing partnership built on shared values and vision for the future of laboratories. This relationship and shared understanding were essential in realising Co-Labs’ overarching mission and vision through a physical space. The space needed to inspire scientific minds tackling complex problems and foster collaboration and innovation through strategy and design. Part of this was to reflect Co-Labs’ ethos of "business unusual," and reshape how people work in laboratories.

Amicus Labline was tasked with bringing this philosophy to life by creating a laboratory that not only preserved the building's industrial heritage but also set a new standard for innovative and sustainable design, redefining the possibilities of modern laboratory spaces.

Solution

Amicus Labline embraced Co-Labs' vision, ensuring that the design featured no sharp corners—only fluid, curved edges. The design incorporated a colour palette inspired by Australia's natural landscape, using earthy tones and natural timbers. The mezzanine’s curved steel balustrade invigorates a sense of flow and harmony to the space, further complemented by the unique feature lighting.

The project involved converting an industrial warehouse, which required the construction of new mezzanine floor and the installation of a lift — both of which required significant structural engineering and design ingenuity. Additionally, Amicus Labline upgraded all building services to meet the specialised needs of life sciences, including sewer and water provisions for trade waste and amenities, HVAC and mechanical extraction to deliver five discreet PC 2 laboratories. These also required power upgrades to further meet the demands of Life Sciences tenants.

Through collaboration and calculated design and delivery, Amicus Labline were able to seamlessly weave these complex requirements into the overall design, enabling the space to reflect a high level of functionality.

Project Gallery
Photographer: Boni Febrianda

Benefit

The result is more than just a laboratory; it’s a vibrant, collaborative hub for innovation, community, and interaction. The space includes five PC 2 laboratory environments, all fostering collaboration in a highly functional and inspiring setting.

Although the project presented considerable design and engineering challenges, the Amicus Labline team embraced these and delivered an incredibly dynamic and innovative laboratory space. This successful outcome is a testament to the strong partnership between Co-Labs and Amicus Labline, built on shared values and a dedication to empowering scientists through pushing the boundaries of laboratory design.

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