The design of the buildings is influenced by the DNA double helix, which increases the "organic" look of the building. The school is a special purpose building combining a public interface with state of the art secure research and laboratory facilities. To this end a significant amount of design effort has been applied to physical interrelationships and requirements for such a purpose.

The project involves three stages as part of a master planned outcome to the value of $150M. The stages needed to be progressively completed and occupied to allow the Research School to maintain its on-going research activities. 

The $45M Stage 2 was completed March 2009, with $60M Stage 3 commencing in mid 2009 for completion in November 2011.

The Hindmarsh scope of services includes:

• management of the design team,
• program management,
• cost management,
• trade package documentation and tendering,
• management of the trade contracts and all construction phase activities.

The achievements of the Hindmarsh team on the project has been recognised through a large number of industry awards.