Project Description
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN CANCER WELLNESS & RESEARCH CENTRE
A holistic design approach combining high-quality sustainability and wellbeing
Austin Health has a long history of pioneering cancer treatments. The ONJ Centre brings together the hospital’s extensive cancer services and research facilities under one roof in a purpose-built facility, and offers new wellness and support programmes that offer individualised care to treat the whole person, not just the cancer.

High Quality Medical Care
The actress and singer Olivia Newton-John believes that positive thinking and a supportive environment played an important role in her own recovery from cancer, so she wanted to create a wellness centre that stimulated all of the senses. In addition to high-quality medical care, the ONJ Centre offers a full range of complementary therapies to support people throughout their treatment.
Extensive Radiotherapy Research
As well as the wellness centre, the building includes radiotherapy bunkers, ambulatory oncology, inpatient wards, 3 floors of Research Laboratories, including a physical containment level 3 laboratory suite, high-acuity areas and negative and positive pressure isolation suites.
Engineering Cancer Research Centre
We provided all engineering building services, including environmentally sustainable design. Our team took a holistic approach, with a strong emphasis on improved wellness and indoor environment quality. The design includes chilled beam technology, no recirculation of air, rainwater collection, solar water heating and future capacity for cogeneration. The centre is the first building in Victoria, and the largest in Australia to date, to achieve the Green Star Healthcare sustainability accreditation.
Quick Facts
Location | Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia |
Client | Austin Health Department of Health |
Architect | Jackson Architecture McConnel Smith and Johnson Architects |
Services | Mechanical engineering Electrical engineering Security Communications Hydraulics Fire Protection Vertical transportation Fire safety Radiation consultancy Sustainability |
Project Status | Completed in 2013 |