UNSW Health Translation Hub

Atelier Ten helped establish the early sustainability strategy for the UNSW Health Translation Hub, a 35,600 m² health, research and education building at the interface between UNSW’s Kensington campus and the Randwick Hospitals Campus. Developed in partnership by UNSW Sydney and Plenary Group, the Hub connects university research more directly with clinical care and industry across the precinct. Two pedestrian links connect the building with UNSW to the west and the new Sydney Children’s Hospital and Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre to the east.

Engaged by UNSW for environmental design and building energy performance consultancy, Atelier Ten worked through project definition, schematic design and the State Significant Development Application to establish the building’s early environmental performance framework. Our work addressed operational and embodied carbon, façade performance, daylight and visual comfort, climate resilience and resource efficiency, alongside Green Star and NABERS pathways. By 2022, this work had been developed into a pathway towards a 6 Star Green Star Buildings rating.

The façade was a key focus of Atelier Ten’s environmental design work. Annual daylight modelling was used to test glazing options against daylight performance, Green Star requirements and the risk of over-illumination and glare. This helped the design team balance access to daylight and visual connection with the need to control solar gain and maintain occupant comfort. External shading and the hooded façade were then optimised using building energy performance analysis.

Inside the building, Atelier Ten explored how environmental conditions could vary rather than applying a uniform approach to comfort. Studies of the atrium considered solar gain, natural ventilation and the movement of warm and cool air between the atrium and adjoining floors. The team explored climatic zoning as a progression from outdoor and transitional areas towards more tightly conditioned work and research environments, allowing thermal and visual conditions to respond more closely to how different spaces would be used.

Energy modelling established a pathway towards a 5.5 Star NABERS Energy rating and tested an all-electric central plant against the building’s projected operational demand. The wider strategy considered rooftop photovoltaics, heat pumps and lower-impact refrigerants, alongside future climate conditions, landscape cooling and green roofs. Early embodied carbon studies explored structural efficiency, cement replacement and lower-carbon concrete, steel and other major materials. Water efficiency measures included rainwater reuse and opportunities to use bore water for non-potable demand.

Atelier Ten’s work also considered how the building could support longer-term learning and research. The sustainability framework explored building performance monitoring, future sensor locations and opportunities to engage UNSW researchers in areas including photovoltaics, energy storage and lower-carbon materials.

Completed in July 2025 and officially opened in November, the Health Translation Hub is fully electrified and powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity. It continues to target a 6 Star Green Star Buildings rating and net zero operational carbon.