Higher degree research (HDR) students across a mix of disciplines will have a new home at Gardens Point following the upgrade of level one of the heritage-listed H Block.

The H Block facelift provides a group studio space and an open office area for individual learning for up to 60 HDR students.

A presentation and conference space will also be available for use by a range of QUT staff and students.

The historic fabric of the building, including brickwork, early doors and windows, and concrete floor, has been maintained in the upgrade, which is part of early works associated with the new Science and Engineering Centre.

Space fit-outs and designs in such early works are aimed at testing, or demonstrating, specific practices and working environments planned for the larger centre site.

After months of muddy conditions, the $230 million Science and Engineering Centre and Community Hub project has reached a milestone with the recent pouring of the first floor slab.

Leighton Contractors has completed the majority of foundations and bulk earthworks and has started pouring concrete structural works to begin a key phase of the QUT Gardens Point campus development.

QUT project director Anthony Perrau said the first pour for the 45,000sqm centre was a significant step towards its completion in 2012.

"This is the biggest project that QUT has ever undertaken in terms of the size of the building and its value. This first concrete pour is where we begin the construction process of the actual building," he said.

“The new centre will create a new campus heart at Gardens Point and significantly boost QUT's research profile in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics areas.”

When completed, the new centre will be home to a new QUT institute and hundreds of researchers focused on solutions for a sustainable world. 

The centre building itself will also be a model for sustainable building practices. It is aiming for a 5-star Green Star rating and in the energy area boasts an advanced gas-fired power generation and cooling system, and up to 200KW of solar electrical generation.

The building will act as a living laboratory, with data from the energy systems, building operation and structural dynamic sensors being used as a valuable tool for research, teaching and community engagement with science and technology.

Boasting many technology and design innovations, the new development and early works are already attracting wide attention from education developers and other universities.

Missions from New Zealand and Fiji, facilities directors from QUT’s partner ATN universities and a delegation from the University of New South Wales are among recent visitors to the site.

FAQs

You will find further project information at FAQs on the Science and Engineering Centre website.

Thanks

We apologise for inconveniences experienced at this time, and thank our staff and students for their patience as we transform our Gardens Point campus.

Project enquiries may be made by email to project communications manager, Gary Rasmussen.