The Engineering Pavilion is a multipurpose facility unifying a disparate collection of 1970s buildings, becoming the symbolic gateway and heart to the engineering community. Featuring a three-level volume exhibition space and interactive learning environments, the facility showcases the faculty’s various engineering disciplines and generates an interest in the expression of structural form.

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Making use of an underutilised space, the Pavilion is built around an existing footbridge, which now ‘penetrates’ the glazed structure, linking it with adjacent buildings. Externally, the transparency of the building becomes solid to the east with concrete panels referencing the surrounding buildings in a contemporary interpretation of the monolithic structures.

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This is the University’s first building designed to best practice energy efficiency benchmarked to the Green Star Rating tool, targeting a five-star ‘as designed’ rating. A steel diagrid system forming the majority of the facade, frames the exhibition space and the western external ‘portico’. It simplifies the building of ‘structural clutter’, resulting in a reduction of structural masonry and steel. Glue-lam timber bow string trusses and an increased glazing specification with sun shading screens further promote ESD and engineering principles, with a building management system monitoring energy usage offset by rooftop solar panels and rainwater harvesting.

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Awards

Master Builders Association - Best Education Building Over $5mil, 2011

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InterfaceFLOR WA Design Awards - Sustainable Design Award, 2011

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Australian Steel Industry of WA Awards - High Commendation for Large Projects Steel Design, 2012