The Science, Engineering and Architecture Building (G39) is a landmark for Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus. The building is located at an important entry point to the campus and is the first university building to directly address Parklands Drive. The building is designed to perform well environmentally and features a cool, shaded forecourt. The west wing houses science and engineering laboratories and an architecture teaching studio; the eastern wing accommodates administration and teaching spaces. Connecting east and west is a four-storey screen structure – a naturally ventilated space that identifies and shades the entry.
The building contributes to existing site planning on the campus, with its forecourt and open ‘laneways’ linking with informal spaces and key circulation routes. It is prominently located on Parklands Drive, a major road and bus route that is also the northern boundary of the campus and a future location for Gold Coast Rapid Transit stations. Deicke Richards also designed the interior of the architectural teaching studio within G39.
The relationship with Griffith University has extended over more than a decade. The practice also worked with lead consultants Conrad Gargett Architecture to design a building for the Mt Gravatt campus in 1999 and two Clinical Sciences buildings for the Gold Coast campus in 2002 and 2004.
Our work for Griffith has addressed urban design concerns and specific teaching requirements. The practice has designed flexible teaching and exhibition spaces, specialist science laboratories, lecture theatres, administration space, academic offices and community psychology facilities.
Photography: Scott Burrows
