The Best of Higher Education Projects Down Under

Integral Group continues to set new sustainability standards in higher education projects and schools around the globe. From recent Carbon Neutral Infrastructure Analysis at the University of Michigan, to designing the UK’s first PassivHaus Plus Certified True Net Zero School, Hackbridge Primary.

In Australia, higher education project excellence continues in the design of facilities achieving 6-Star Green Star ratings, by implementing wide-reaching campus plans and advising on state-of-the-art technology and audio-visual designs in learning environments.

Read more below about some of Integral Group’s best higher educations projects in Australia over the past decade:

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE | OLD QUADRANGLE

Parkville, Victoria | 2019

As well as a 5-Star Green Star rating, the Old Quad building was the first application within Australia to target the adaptive reuse model Passive House EnerPHit, requiring major upgrades to building services and extensive work to achieve airtightness around the building envelope.

JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY | TECHNOLOGY + INNOVATION COMPLEX

Townsville, Queensland | Current

This investment in Regional North Queensland sees Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Information Technology disciplines accommodated in a state-of-the-art complex. One building will replace six existing buildings on campus. Solving a range of backlogged maintenance issues, facilitate economies of scale, and enhance the sustainability and performance of the campus.

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY | ENGINEERING + TECHNOLOGY PRECINCT

Sydney, New South Wales | 2021

Integral Group performed a life cycle assessment on the ETP design. It includes strategies to reinvigorate and retain existing structures, wherever possible. Compared with a business-as-usual demolition and construction project, the EPT’s strategy saw a reduction in environmental impacts throughout its life cycle.

RUTHERFORD REGIONAL SCIENCE + INNOVATION CENTRE

Christchurch, New Zealand | 2019

In a joint venture with Christchurch-based Cosgroves, the Integral group delivered a high-quality science in a building that can withstand a 1 in a 1000-year earthquake. The solution was an innovative steel-framed building sitting on a thick concrete slab incorporating distinctive red buckling restrained braces.

MONASH UNIVERSITY | CENTRE OF ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

Clayton, Victoria | 2020

Integral established the baseline ambient conditions of the laboratory and identifying and upgrading any direct current and electromagnetic fields to provide a stable environment for the equipment. After a 6-month commissioning period, the team compared the current room conditions with the baseline measurements. The results exceeded the client’s set expectations and ensured that the laboratory was ultra-stable and the new-purpose-built instrument can perform as intended.

SUSAN WAKIL HEALTH BUILDING

Sydney, New South Wales | 2021

Across eight floors, the Integral technology team designed a range of simulation and learning spaces that merged a range of health disciplines under one roof, translating research into education and clinical services. The specialized simulation spaces have been purposefully designed for practice and formal evaluations.

WOMEN’S COLLEGE SIBYL CENTRE

Sydney | 2019

The building knits seamlessly into the historic Langley Precinct, celebrating the strong history of The Women’s College at The University of Sydney. To ease disruption to students and faculty, the project was staged and handed over progressively. The early works included major service upgrades, allowing the neighboring buildings to remain operational throughout the construction phase.

DEAKIN UNIVERSITY | LAW SCHOOL BUILDING

Burwood, Victoria | 2020

Refurbishing existing buildings and creating new facilities that meet the present and future needs of the University, Integral Group designed challenging and complex solutions which integrated the two structures. With most of the construction during the peak of the pandemic in Melbourne, Victoria, the construction management team had to adapt to new ways of working and certifying for compliance.

Integral Group is proud of its contribution and innovations to education facilities across Australia and the world.

Please reach out here with any questions about higher education projects in Australia.