Revisiting Australia’s largest research greenhouse

The University of Adelaide Plant Accelerator is Australia’s largest research greenhouse and plays a fundamental role in crop research and plant phenomics across the globe. Designed by H2o Architects in collaboration with Phillips Pilkington Architects, The Plant Accelerator (TPA) is located at the University of Adelaide’s renowned Waite Research Precinct, the largest agricultural research, education and commercialisation precinct in the Southern Hemisphere.
 

Designed over two levels, the 4,500 square metre facility includes an upper greenhouse level for plant growth with automated plant imaging stations, and a lower support area housing plant growth chambers, potting, germination and research laboratories, and administrative offices.
 

Housing Australia’s first automated high-throughput phenotyping system, TPA can process 160,000 plants a year via automated facilities for high-volume plant growth and analysis. Over a decade since commencing operations, TPA continues to be a world-leading infrastructure facility, attracting researchers from Australia and abroad.
 

The project was awarded the Keith Neighbour Award for Commercial Architecture by the South Australian chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects.
 

The Plant Accelerator provides vital infrastructure for crop research and plant breeding in Australia. Photo by David Sievers.