As the University of Queensland’s (UQ) Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS) cold storage facilities at the PACE building were reaching capacity, the university identified the need for a dedicated, purpose-built facility specifically designed for cold and deep storage of frozen water samples. The new facility required meticulous design to meet temperature control, backup power, and controlled access specifications, ensuring it would support UQ’s growing research needs.
Our team was engaged to propose a practical and efficient design solution, suggesting a structural shed concept with Colorbond roofing and external cladding. This approach not only addressed the unique storage requirements but also offered a solution to integrate essential utilities within a ceiling cavity. To ensure reliability, we installed a new standby generator, seamlessly connecting it to the existing switchboard, thereby enhancing the facility’s resilience. Amid challenging market conditions, our proactive supply chain management allowed us to overcome potential delays, ensuring a seamless delivery of this critical storage facility for UQ.
However modest from the exterior, this custom-built steel structure stores millions of samples – significantly expanding the University of Queensland’s capacity to store environmental specimens. With tailored temperature control and essential safeguards in place, this fit-for-purpose specimen bank strengthens UQ and QAEHS’s ability to conduct and support critical research on environmental contaminants. This project not only fulfilled UQ’s current needs but also positioned the university to advance its research capabilities for the future.