We worked with UQ’s Property and Facilities team and UQ’s user group to develop a design brief that includes the requirement for a new and unique teaching space for students for a program organized around providing a flexible teaching space for lectures, informal study, research and collaboration without ‘belonging’ to or allegiance to any particular faculty. Integration of technology and information sharing to enhance the teaching experience was fundamental to the brief.
In response to the particular character of the setting overlooking the University Great Court, natural materials including spotted gum wall linings and timber bulkheads were incorporated to create a warm ‘timber box’ concept, encouraging students to learn and collaborate in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Honed existing concrete floors and a high ceiling offer the room an industrial and casual edge, creating a contrast to the flanking white lab spaces. Custom built in seating in vibrant green and chartreuse fabric frame the original heritage listed terrazzo sills and 1960’s steel frame windows, maximise the views out to the Great Court, enhancing natural daylighting and breezes, and augmenting the filtered green light through the trees.
Custom designed perforated patterns in the wall linings, bulkheads and joinery reference cells found in molecular biology, reinforcing ideas of collaboration, interaction and creativity.
The design is focused on a new mode of learning with integrated technology embedded into the fit out, including the design of an organic shaped lectern that breaks away from traditional boxy and bulky lecterns. This encourages a breaking down of the usual barriers between the lecturer and student.
