The UNSW Health Translation Hub (HTH) is a 15-storey health, education and research facility located at the corner of High Street and Botany Street within the UNSW Randwick Campus. Hansen Yuncken engaged Karabiner under the BMU / Façade Safe Access System package to design, supply and install all façade access, rope-access, and height-safety systems. The building includes complex architectural forms, bridges, terraces, sunshades and extensive glazing requiring a comprehensive and compliant access solution for cleaning, maintenance and glass replacement. The works were delivered in accordance with Australian Standards, the Façade Access Strategy, and all statutory requirements.
Client / Stakeholder Challenges
The client required a full-coverage façade access solution for a highly articulated façade featuring bridges, atriums, sunhoods, large glass panels, podium roofs and roof level.
Working within a live hospital and university precinct added strict constraints around safety, noise, traffic control and working hours. Additionally, the project demanded interface coordination with structural, services, façade, bridge-link contractors and Green Star requirements. Ensuring all RA-BMU & RA-Ponies cast-ins, davit sockets, RA-BMU tracks, and power brackets were correctly positioned without impacting watertightness or architectural finishes was a significant risk that required Karabiner BMU expertise.
Our Solution
Karabiner designed and delivered the full BMU Façade Safe Access System including rope-access BMUs with an Auxiliary Hoist, Rope Access Ponies, Davit arms, Davit sockets, restraint systems and hot-dip-galvanized track systems across all roof zones.
The solution incorporated systems for the Wallace Wurth Bridge, Children’s Hospital Bridge, podium levels, L06 & L08 terraces, and the Level 15 roof to ensure complete façade reach. Karabiner provided structural interface details, coordination with consultants, engineering certification, and full documentation including as-builts, manuals, and statutory signage.
All equipment was engineered to meet WorkCover requirements, Australian Standards and the project’s need for non-marking wheels, full safety limits, alarms, emergency stops.
