Western Australia’s first large-scale mass-engineered timber building has been completed at Murdoch University’s South Street campus in Perth.
Designed by Lyons in collaboration with Officer Woods, The Fulcrum Agency, Silver Thomas Hanley and Aspect Studios, the building is located at the heart of campus and will become the university’s academic core, providing space for up to 60 percent of its learning and teaching requirements.
Building 360 is named Boola Katitjin, which means “lots of learning” in Noongar.
“The name Boola Katijin was given by Dr Richard Walley, who has a long association with Murdoch. The Beeliar Wetlands around the University have been a place of learning for thousands of years, and we are proud to be adapting to the future of education to continue this tradition,” said Murdoch vice-chancellor and professor Andrew Deeks.
The northern events plaza at Boola Katitjin (Building 360) by Lyons in collaboration with Officer Woods, The Fulcrum Agency, Silver Thomas Hanley and Aspect Studios.
Image: Courtesy Murdoch University
The long, rectilinear building is oriented north–south, with the “creative warehouse model” inspiring a highly flexible and adaptable grid along its 180-metre spine.
The building accommodates 21 large, flat-floor format teaching and learning spaces; areas for informal peer-to-peer learning; workspaces for staff; technology labs; immersive industry collaboration facilities, including augmented reality and artificial intelligence studios; innovative research and industry engagement spaces; three food and beverage outlets and a student services centre.
The building is made from laminated timber beams and columns, cross-laminated timber floor panels and concrete supports. The predominantly timber construction contributes to the environmental sustainability of the building. In addition, the rooftop solar array is capable of producing more than 60 percent of building’s operational energy requirements.
“It reflects the University’s commitment to sustainability – with Boola Katitjin designed to achieve the internationally recognized 6-star Green Star rating through a range of features including solar panels, stormwater harvesting, active design features and native landscaping,” Deeks said.
