QUT Peter Coaldrake

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The Peter Coaldrake Education Precinct began its life as a dedicated Faculty of Education building. The project was proposed to be a new, independent stand-alone building, however, Wilson Architects’ commission was awarded on the basis of changing the siting so that the building could leverage connections to the existing Campus Library and dramatically improve the student experience.

Wilson Architects successfully argued that benefits would flow both ways. The design would create a social learning space to allowing students to interact uniquely in a memorable and productive environment. The idea of capturing a landscape and making this the occupiable space was universally endorsed. Being able to study in a garden has benefits for the body and mind and supports student wellness, whilst the inclusion of ‘The Sphere’, the world’s largest digital globe, saturates the space with its interactive technology. The combination of the two ends of the spectrum, nature and technology, create a highly engaging space for students as an information re-source space, as well as spaces for study and research.