Curtin University Of Technology PERTH, WA
The Buchan Group’s innovative design for the new North Plant building at the Bentley Campus of Curtin University of Technology provides additional heating and cooling capacity (air-conditioning) for the expanding campus and is resolved architecturally as a large, highly sculptural form.
Pre-finished, pre-cast concrete walls provide structural, material and erection economies with low maintenance. Screens surround the cooling towers to address acoustic requirements and are faced with a selection of composite metal finishes chosen to create a striking façade that will subtly age over time. The North Plant building received the RAIA 2007 WA Chapter Award for the small projects category. It is one of a number of projects designed and delivered by The Buchan Group for the University.
Also designed by The Buchan Group is the new Lecture Theatre 213 on the Bentley Campus. Two 200-seat lecture theatres totalling approximately 1000 m² were inserted between the Centre for Aboriginal Studies Centre and the existing Elizabeth Jolley Lecture Theatre Complex (both designed by The Buchan Group), and connected to the latter.
A dramatic covered way on the south side links the new buildings to the existing lecture theatre and intersects a new landscaped corridor between the two buildings, creating a meeting and gathering space for students. Sustainability / energy use is addressed with generous overhangs to the eastern, western and southern glazed areas, with minimal solar exposure to the internal spaces of the building.
The Lecture Theatres received a commendation in the 2009 WA Chapter AIA Awards, in the Public / Institutional category. The facility was delivered for a construction cost of $4.5M and was completed in 2008.
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