Let's just open up by saying the spectacular new National Center for Synchrotron Science (NCSS) building has a reactive and responsive façade, 100 rooftop photovoltaic panels, an electrical power plant, and has received a 5 Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia!

After two years of construction, Bates Smart Architects can finally revel in their masterpiece. “I’d like to think that NCSS resides at that interval between the meaning of science and culture – the advancement and the creation of research at the point where it becomes meaningful to the public and therefore meaningful to our progression and advancement as a culture,” Kristen Whittle, design director at Bates Smart explained.

The $30 millions dollar project is actually an extension to the existing facility which is located in the suburb of Clayton in Melbourne.

The structure is designed to function as a host to a number public, corporate and research-based events with it's 400-seat auditorium, seminar rooms, exhibition space, office areas, a cafe and public gallery areas.

The facade is constructed of translucent polycarbonate and finished with a dichroic protective coating, which refracts and diffuses light. esensially, the color of the building will change, depending on the time of day.

Innovative lighting systems were implemented in the new facility such as a ‘glowing’ auditorium, exterior signage, and of course - the interactive facade!

Photography: Peter Bennetts