University of Newcastle –
Health Education Research Building (HERB)
Project: University of Newcastle – Health Education Research Building (HERB)
Practice: EJE Architecture
Builder: Lipman
Interior Design: Natalie Hancock, EJE Architecture
Location: Callaghan Campus, University of Newcastle
Planex products: xLocker2 System
Lock technology: Lock Focus 3963/3950 & RFID integration
Designed to support the School of Nursing & Midwifery, School of Health Sciences, and the College of Health, Medicine & Wellbeing Pro Vice Chancellor team, Health Education Research Building (HERB) provides state-of-the-art facilities including simulation labs, and flexible teaching environments. Agile workspaces, together with a variety of communal zones affords both staff & students a collaborative environment in which to work & learn.
Rather than constructing a new facility, the University of Newcastle prioritised adaptive reuse, converting the middle level of a multi-storey carpark into a contemporary learning hub. This approach minimised carbon emissions, reduced embodied energy, and reinforced the campus’s commitment to sustainability.
At 3,570 m², the project demanded complex engineering to level existing floors and strengthen the structure. Led by EJE Architecture Directors Anthony Furniss and Holly Nyquist with Associate Natalie Hancock (interiors), the design team focused on sustainability, wellbeing, and connection to Country.
HERB’s location within the University’s bushland Callaghan Campus informed its design. A ribbon of windows frames the eucalypt canopy, introducing soft, dappled light that animates the interior. Hancock’s interior scheme draws directly from the natural palette – pale eucalypt greens, warm clay tones, and timber treatments echo the landscape and provide intuitive wayfinding.
Indigenous consultation was integral to the design process and guided the integration of cultural narratives. First Nations artist Liz Cameron contributed artworks that formed a range of architectural elements like privacy screens and perforated panels, embedding cultural meaning into the building’s fabric.
To support both staff and student needs, EJE specified the Planex xLocker2 system. The lockers were customised to reflect the building’s colour palette, blending pale eucalypt and claypot finishes into the interior design.
For staff, RFID-enabled lockers align with the University’s shift towards open-plan hot-desking and smart access systems. For students, the xLocker2 lockers are durable in high-traffic areas while maintaining visual integration with the interiors. The adaptability of xLocker2 allowed Planex to deliver secure, functional storage without compromising architectural intent.
The Health Education Research Building demonstrates how adaptive reuse, cultural consultation, and sustainable design can combine to create a resilient, human-centred education environment. Through collaboration between EJE Architecture, the University, Lipman Construction, and partners like Planex, HERB sets a benchmark for environmentally responsive design in the tertiary sector.
Photography by Alexander McIntyre