Building begins on new coastal research hub at Point Nepean

Construction has started on the Point Nepean Research and Education Field Station, a facility that will transform a historic slice of the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne, Australia, into a national hub for coastal and climate research. A joint initiative between the University of Melbourne and Monash University, supported by the Australian Government, the Field Station will be a meeting place for local and international researchers, First Nations peoples and the broader Point Nepean community. 

The Hassell-led design works closely with Traditional Owners to embed First Nations knowledge into the project and honour its deep Indigenous and settler history. Adaptive reuse transforms the heritage-listed Badcoe Hall into laboratories and collaborative teaching spaces, alongside a new purpose-built accommodation building for up to 50 visiting researchers and students. The design carefully balances heritage conservation with contemporary research infrastructure — giving researchers a place to work directly within the marine and coastal environment they’re studying.

Once complete, the Field Station will support interdisciplinary research into coastal ecosystems, climate change, biodiversity, history, culture and the arts. It’s expected to be operational in 2028.