DBE is a school of mixed disciplines with a shared approach that reflects the industry’s mode of delivery. Interactivity extends beyond teaching, learning and research to informal opportunities that are key in creating a sense of belonging. This leveraging between various disciplines will continue to foster DBE’s reputation for delivering effective cross-discipline industry research, training and partnership.

DBE places a high priority on collaboration. The School’s new home underpins a studio and project based culture where ideas are shared and problems are solved collectively. The learning environment will support experimentation, curiosity and debate, while student-focused communal spaces will be arranged around a central collaboration hub. This collaborative culture will extend beyond the campus grounds to enable active engagement with the community, industry partners, researchers and international associations.

DBE’s new building is, in effect, a Living Laboratory – supporting learning, teaching and research by being a referential tool for students.

Not only is the building a pedagogical tool, but the project also actively engaged Curtin students from relevant disciplines in the building and development stages. Throughout the construction process, current students had the opportunity to observe and/or get involved in project delivery.

The building reflects the multidisciplinary perspectives that exist within the school. Flexibility and adaptability of spaces allow for coexistence whilst acknowledging the active and subtle differences in each disciplines’ requirements, pedagogical approaches and industry practices. The new environment aims to break away from a silo mentality by grouping disciplines and tasks rather than individual departments.