JCU Indigenous Education & Research Centre
The Indigenous Education and Research Centre project at James Cook University’s Townsville campus involved the refurbishment and repurposing of the existing “School of Creative Arts” buildings by BVN that were completed in 2008. The project was successfully delivered in collaboration with Kirk Architects over a fast tracked design, documentation and construction program.
The project brief called for creative repurposing of the suite of 4 buildings that were designed originally as photographic studios, Computer labs, a small gallery and music spaces. Key uses of the reduced creative arts programs of the university were retained in the project, including a new flexible “Design Garage” space. Remaining spaces were completely repurposed for the needs of the IERC, including staff and postgraduate spaces, flexible learning spaces, an outdoor performance space and a student lounge.
The design approach was to retain and express the strong forms and materiality of the existing building shells “as found”, while introducing a distinct new palette of timber battens, plywood and glass insertions to re-shape internal spaces. Visual transparency of the spaces was a key request of the user groups, enabling genuine connections of students and staff.
Photography by Justin Staniton and Andrew Rankin