This is the fourth major building Baulderstone has constructed on the five hectare Macquarie University Research Park, which the company is developing jointly with the University. Dow Corning Australia, part of the worldwide chemical applications group, is the major tenant. It occupies the basement, ground floor and level one of this four-level custom-designed building to accommodate its head office and science/research facilities. Altogether Dow Corning occupies 3700m2 of the 7400m2 of lettable space.
Fitout works were extensive to provide the facilities for the science and technology area on the ground floor. The fitout comprised an environmental testing area, emulsion pilot laboratory, construction testing laboratory, testing and analytical instrument laboratories and a constant conditions room. General office, reception and meeting rooms are also on the ground floor. Level one contains office areas, a call centre, video conferencing room and computer room/IT laboratory. The second and third floors are identical. The basement has been designed to accommodate access by a four-tonne truck entry for delivery of limited flammable and combustible drums of chemicals to be used in the testing laboratories. There are also extensive storage areas.
The attractive, high-tech building has anodised aluminium windows with sunshades, pre-painted fibre cement vitrepanels and face brickwork. There is a steel-framed awning over the entry. Despite early inclement weather, the building was completed ahead of schedule in July 2000.
