Here stands the Learning Innovation Building. It is UQ’s hub for technology-assisted learning. This four-story building fosters teaching innovation. It is a place where ideas come to life.
Completed in 2011, the Learning Innovation Building sits on the St Lucia campus. The University of Queensland is its client. The Turrbal and Jagera people are the Traditional Custodians of this land. The building covers a gross floor area of 2250 square meters.
The Learning Innovation Building connects to the Great Court. It links to Circular Drive and green spaces near the Brisbane River. The building nestles among existing university structures. Some of these are heritage listed.
Architects designed the Learning Innovation Building to improve pedestrian links. Public courtyard space adds to the campus’s external areas. Upper levels offer views of the campus. You can also see the river, eastern suburbs, and the Green Bridge. Openings in the building frame external views. They also maximize daylight inside.
The design is sensitive to surrounding heritage buildings. The external shape responds to nearby buildings. Many facades are transparent. This displays internal activities to the wider campus.
Inside the Learning Innovation Building, find experimental seminar spaces. There are also office spaces, meeting rooms, and media editing suites. A studio called the ‘Innovation Laboratory’ is a focal point. Here, departments engage in specific activities. A three-story void connects the floors. This improves the internal environment. It also boosts the building’s efficiency.
The Learning Innovation Building includes sustainable features. A 45.25kWp photovoltaic system supplies 25% of peak energy needs. This system was commissioned in August 2013. There are 181 solar modules. They are configured into four arrays. These arrays are located on the rooftop and the terrace. Modules on the terrace are mounted on 20-degree tilt aluminum frames. This maximizes power harvesting. Panels on the rooftop have maximizer devices. These devices counter shade and orientation effects. This optimizes each module’s power output.
Automated blinds and louvre windows adjust to sunlight changes. They also consider window placement and other environmental factors. This further boosts energy efficiency in the Learning Innovation Building.
Bligh Tanner provided innovative facade engineering. The facade balances performance and aesthetics. It also considers environmental responsibility and cost. Practicality, durability, and user experience were key. The building features aluminum cladding and specialist glass designs.
The Learning Innovation Building embodies UQ’s commitment to innovation. Its design promotes collaboration. Its sustainable features reflect environmental stewardship. As you explore this space, consider its impact on learning. Think about its contribution to a sustainable future. The Learning Innovation Building stands as a testament to modern, forward-thinking design in education.