Construction Well Underway for New Monash University Research Facility.
Written by: Lenore Whiteside, Access Consultant
Looking out from our Parkville office, far beyond the expansive green canopy of Princes Park, you see the smoky blue outline of the Dandenongs to the east and to the south, a generous vista of the city skyline – a view especially beautiful (yet somewhat blinding) at golden hour. What you also witness looking south are interconnected former CSRIO laboratory buildings, which are currently being reshaped for the new owners, Monash University.
The 343 Royal Parade Parkville Revitalisation Project will provide advanced research facilities for the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS). The Institute will be relocating from its current home within the University’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Campus – our immediate northern neighbour.
The original 1960 and 1990s CSRIO buildings have been stripped back to their core structure and are now being upgraded with a complete internal renovation, new façade and extensive landscaping.
The remodelled 6,800 m² facility will feature purpose-built labs, offices and study areas designed to support drug research and development. MIPS will foster collaboration among scientists, researchers, and students, enhancing outcomes and accelerating breakthroughs.
Architecture & Access was engaged by the lead architect DesignInc, to provide comprehensive accessibility compliance reviews and guidance. We initially worked directly with the firm during a detailed design phase. Recently, the consultant team was novated to Kane Constructions for the construction documentation and delivery works.
As the project’s Access Consultant, Architecture & Access continues to play a key role in ensuring that the new research facility is inclusive, navigable and responsive to the varied needs of researchers, staff and visitors.
As Melbourne continues to grow its internationally recognised Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, the 343 Royal Parade Parkville Revitalisation Project will set a new benchmark for pharmaceutical research and innovation.
The building is set to commence its leading research and training programs from mid-2026.
Main image: Watch the transformation unfold in this timelapse, revealing the former CSIRO laboratories into Monash University’s cutting-edge pharmaceutical research facility.
Captured by Kane Constructions, the footage highlights key stages of demolition, structural upgrades, and the emergence of a modern, inclusive space to foster innovation.
