The Australian Synchrotron, which
opened in 2005, is a world-class
research facility that uses
accelerator technology to produce a
powerful source of light, x-rays and
infrared radiation that are a million
times brighter than the sun.
Researchers use it to analyse the
structure and composition of
materials with a level of detail,
speed and accuracy not
possible in conventional
laboratories.

The Synchrotron supports a broad range of
advanced research for sectors including biomedicine,
environmental services, food technologies,
manufacturing, minerals, natural resources
pharmaceuticals, forensics, and defence.

JMP were contracted to design
the 116 metre diameter (13,000
sq m), circular building that
would isolate external vibrations
and provide a vast, column-free
span. Most international
synchrotrons are ultra-sensitive
to vibration and built in relatively
isolated areas and a challenge
for our team was that the
Australian Synchrotron building
is located in an urban
environment with a major road
and industrial facilities close by.

During the design process a
significant number of highly
customised and ingenious
solutions were developed to
provide a building with very tight
tolerances to act as a protective
shell for the highly advanced
and extremely sensitive
equipment.

The Australian
Synchrotron winner of
the 2007 National
Property Council of
Australia Innovation and
Excellence Award in
Public Buildings and
JMP are proud to have
worked on the
engineering of this
significant research
facility.