The redevelopment of the former Royal Adelaide Hospital as an innovation precinct within the Adelaide CBD is a major initiative of the SA government in support of attracting new technology and creative industries to South Australia. The brief for the site’s architectural and public realm design at Lot Fourteen is to reflect this focus on innovative industries, at the same time making Lot Fourteen an accessible precinct for the public.

The brief was to provide a sheltered outdoor space adjacent to the Australian Space Discovery Centre entry to allow school kids to assemble and receive an introductory briefing prior to visiting the displays inside.

The narrow passage between the adjacent State Heritage buildings required a sensitive insertion with minimal visual and structural impact. The configuration of structure aligns with the structural grids of the two existing buildings and is independently stabilised with a series of strategically located cables. A sloped glazed plane is suspended at a lower level from the overhead structure to achieve scale and rain protection to the space underneath.

The project illustrates the benefit of true collaboration between disciplines, communicating the innovative spirit of Lot Fourteen.