JCU unveils Engineering and Innovation Place for Townsville university students

James Cook University has unveiled Townsville’s newest, “game-changing” building facility and its mind-blowing price tag.

Locally manufactured glulam timber is used to form JCU’s Engineering and Innovation Place (EIP) facade system, which not only provides complete cyclone debris impact resistance but achieves both abundant day lighting and transparency and thermal performance standards well beyond standard market systems – a world first for the tropics. The EIP’s atrium can also be naturally ventilated, use tempered air or a blend, acting as an intermediate cooling zone from the exterior to the interior. Picture: Supplied

James Cook University has unveiled Townsville’s newest, “game-changing” building facility and its mind-blowing price tag.

JCU said on Tuesday that North Queensland’s brightest engineering and IT minds now have a “$100 million state-of-the-art facility to call home”.

“Located at JCU’s Bebegu Yumba campus in Douglas, Engineering and Innovation Place (EIP) features a multi-million dollar investment in new equipment, 23 new lab spaces, industry engagement and garage space, workshop, multi-modal studio and conference rooms.”

JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs said the EIP represented the next generation of learning environments for the university across a range of disciplines.

‘‘Our undergraduate and postgraduate engineering and IT students, industry partners and researchers stepped foot in the four-storey, 9,400m2 building for the first time yesterday,’’ he said.

“The EIP is a game changer for our students and academics, offering unparalleled access to resources and equipment that are being used in the industry right now.”

JCU Head of Engineering Professor Bouchra Senadji, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Services and Resources Tricia Brand and College of Science and Engineering Dean Professor Ron White. Picture: Supplied

Professor Biggs said it was exciting to ponder the possibilities of future innovations created within the new facility as “staff, students and industry partners collaborate and develop new ideas to address real-world challenges facing the 21st century”.

“Whether you’re studying Information Technology, engineering, mathematics or any number of related fields, the EIP will be a focal point for innovation where students will be able to push the boundaries of what is possible.”

JCU third-year mechanical engineering students Mitchell Greenland and Ethan Moody. Picture: Supplied

Designed by KIRK Studio, in collaboration with i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects, and built by BESIX Watpac, the building features a parasol roof of folded wooden panels, an innovative climate-control system and a gold sustainability rating.

JCU Deputy Vice Chancellor, Services and Resources, Tricia Brand said the modern design and function of the EIP was cutting edge and contained several innovative features suited to North Queensland’s tropical climate.

“Coincidently, there has also been a 49 per cent increase in enrolments for engineering this year at JCU and the EIP will no doubt enhance the learning experience for those students.”

JCU Head of Engineering Professor Bouchra Senadji, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Services and Resources Tricia Brand and College of Science and Engineering Dean Professor Ron White. Picture: Supplied

JCU College of Science and Engineering Dean Professor Ron White said the EIP underscored the university’s “mission to support, engage with, and supply talent to industries within the region”.

“Recent significant investments in the energy, resource, defence and digital sectors have created further promising career opportunities for graduates.”

He said that to fulfil its mission, it was “crucial to attract and retain talent both locally and internationally”.

“The provision of state-of-the-art facilities in the Engineering Innovation Precinct complements the college’s world-class academic programs and researchers in engineering, IT, and science.”

JCU Head of Engineering Bouchra Senadji said the new building fostered an innovative learning environment, “providing a rich environment for our students to engage, learn and grow”.

“The EIP’s state-of-the-art facilities allow for impactful multidisciplinary research and engagement with our industry partners both in the region and beyond.”

Originally published as JCU unveils Engineering and Innovation Place for Townsville university students