An application for a development project has been submitted for the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator (SBA), an integrated health, education, and research precinct in Camperdown. The SBA has been designed by Denton Corker Marshall and HDR, in collaboration with Arcadia Landscape Architecture and Aileen Sage.

The proposed precinct, situated at the corner of Western Avenue and Cadigal Lane, would consist of two wings: the Isaac Wakil Biomedical Building (IWBB) and Building B. The IWBB would be located at the University of Sydney's Camperdown campus. According to the submitted planning documents, the IWBB wing is envisioned to span eight floors, housing designated areas for wet lab research, dry research, anatomical teaching, clinical research, and workstations. Notably, the IWBB would be connected to the existing Susan Wakil Health Building (SWHB), which is positioned to the north of the proposed site.

Building B, as indicated in the plans, is proposed to be located within the grounds of the Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital site, adjacent to the boundary of the University of Sydney's Camperdown campus. Its primary function would be to accommodate specialist laboratories, a dry research space, and a biobank facility.

A distinctive feature of the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator (SBA) complex is the angled glass structure known as the "Connector." This dynamic eight-storey volume serves as a link between the IWBB and Building B on the northern facade. Within the Connector, three glass lifts are centrally positioned, providing access to the lobby of two passenger lifts in Building B. The atrium voids house two sets of cascading open interconnecting stairs, facilitating movement and connectivity within the complex. Additionally, a series of bridge links further enhance the integration between the wings.

To encourage collaboration and interdisciplinary interaction between the university and the hospital, pedestrian bridges are proposed between the third level of Building B and the RPA Hospital, as well as between Building B and Gloucester House. These glazed links not only offer visual access to the activities taking place within the bridges but also provide new vantage points to overlook the courtyard of Gloucester House.

The design team behind the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator (SBA) has taken great care to ensure that the building's facade harmonizes with the surrounding context, particularly Gloucester House to the west and the Susan Wakil Health Building (SWHB) to the north. Plans state “the massing, materiality and fenestration of the SBA podium reflects Gloucester House, and its principal massing reflects SWHB with the solid podium base and floating development above, behind a lighter, shaded curtain wall facade.”

Passive design elements have been integrated into the SBA to enhance its resilience to future weather conditions. These elements include considerations such as orientation, internal layout, and facade shading, ensuring the complex is well-equipped to withstand and adapt to changing environmental circumstances.

The proposed Sydney Biomedical Accelerator is expected to bring numerous benefits, including increased tertiary education opportunities, job creation, and a thriving environment for research and innovation. The project aims to foster scientific collaboration and innovation, with the potential to yield transformative medical research outcomes that will have a positive impact on the broader population of New South Wales and beyond.

After winning a design competition in 2022, Denton Corker Marshall and HDR have continuously updated the plans in accordance with recommendations presented at four Design Integrity Panel (DIP) meetings. The application, now on exhibit, was submitted jointly by the University of Sydney, the NSW Government (NSW Health), and the Sydney Local Health District, highlighting the collaborative nature of the project.