Construction is set to commence on a new flagship building at Griffith University’s Nathan campus which will target a five-star Green Star Building V1 rating.
Lendlease was the successful tenderer for the project which is set to break ground early next year, providing space to accommodate staff relocating from Griffith’s Mount Gravatt campus.
Griffith’s Chief Operating Officer Peter Bryant said the new building, N82, will be a centrepiece for the campus with the main design feature to be a central outdoor atrium formed by a series of elevated terraces.
“This will be a state-of-the-art building which will include a range of key features and new space types for the campus,” Mr Bryant said.
“Importantly, the building incorporates a Changing Places facility on the ground level for people living with a disability and will include an adult change room with a hoist, a change bed and an accessible toilet.
“The rest of the building will encompass formal and informal teaching spaces, lounge areas, and integrated teaching spaces with research and staff accommodation.”
The N82 facility has been designed with the Toohey Forest in mind with the internal colour palette reflecting the forest’s fauna and flora.
The building has a designing with Country element which will take people on a journey up through the Atrium as they traverse the levels, staircases, and terraces.
Staff, students and visitors will arrive at significant vantage points to surrounding Country including a pop-out facing toward Mt Warning that can be viewed in the distance.
The N82 project team is working with Griffith engineering academics on a proposal to install geotechnical and structural real-time sensing into N82 to support teaching, learning and research.
The sensors will measure a range of items such as movement, deflection, and groundwater fluctuations.
Mr Bryant said the aim is to achieve a five-star Green Star rating which takes into account a number of factors including responsible construction and procurement practises and setting embodied carbon targets that achieve Australian Excellence.
“The roof will include solar panels for green energy, and natural ventilation with high opening windows and fans on the terraces and in all teaching and workplace spaces,” he said.
General Manager Construction Queensland/Northern Territory Lendlease, Jerome Johnson, said: “We look forward to partnering with Griffith University to deliver an advanced research and learning facility at the Nathan campus in South East Queensland.”
“This collaboration goes beyond construction; it reflects our shared commitment to enhancing the educational experience for students, staff, and the research community.”
The N82 building is scheduled for completion in 2026.
