School of Design and the Built Environment

Where co-creation lives.

Designed by John Wardle Architects, the new home for Curtin’s School of Design and the Built Environment (DBE) will support collaboration and showcase creativity and innovation.

The building includes a diverse mix of technology-rich formal, informal and specialist learning and teaching spaces in addition to a makerspace, exhibition area, workspace for DBE staff, industry and retail space and a stunning courtyard, destined to be the vibrant social heart of Exchange.

In addition to dedicated learning and research spaces, the five-storey building is designed with exposed mechanical, electrical and hydraulic services and structural elements to help students understand how buildings function.

Project Status & News

  • Lendlease commenced construction in 2019. Our new School of Design and the Built Environment will be completed Quarter 2 of 2021, ready for occupation in Semester 2.

Explore the building

Use the guide below to explore each of the levels and key features of our new School of Design and the Built Environment.

Please note, floorplans and imagery shown are indicative only and details may be modified in coming months.

For more details, architectural plans are available for download below.

Download architectural drawings (6MB)
Gallery and Exhibition Area
Retail - Leasable Space

Level 1 has a 168m2 and a 102m2 premises available for lease

Email enquiries to exchange@curtin.edu.au

Collaboration Hub

Collaborative workspace including two meeting rooms, print station and kitchenette.

Courtyard
Informal Learning Area

Expansive area with different furniture options to study, collaborate and relax.

Makerspace
Industry - Leaseable Space

Level 1: 196m2 available for lease

Level 2: 575m2 available for lease*

Level 3: 362m2 available for lease*

Level 5: 1288m2 available for lease*

*opportunities for subdivision

Email enquiries to exchange@curtin.edu.au

Amenities
Learning Areas
The Blue Carpet Re-Imagined

In its current home, DBE revolves around the ground level ‘Blue Carpet,’ which serves as both a primary circulation space and an actively changing area transformed for informal learning, discussions, social gathering, presentation and classes. This building’s design re-imagines this heritage by interconnecting spaces critical to delivering the key curriculum drivers for the School’s disciplines.

Terrace
Balcony
Computer Studios
Research Space
Quiet Areas and Meeting Rooms

This level includes rooms of various sizes for meetings.

DBE Workspace

Level 4 is predominantly open plan office space for DBE staff supported by a reception area, informal breakout space, quiet areas and meeting rooms.

Staff Breakout Space
Informal Collaborative Area

Relaxed area with different furniture options to catch up or take some time out.

Design Features

In addition to ‘The Blue Carpet Re-Imagined,’ the new home for our School of Design and the Built Environment has many unique features. Here’s a little preview…

Cabinet of Curiosity

Like a 17th Century Cabinet of Curiosity, where small collections of extraordinary objects were displayed to tell stories about the wonders of the wider world, B418’s unique and diverse interior landscape will be projected onto Koorliny Way.

Civic Generosity

By activating the ground level with collaborative learning, industry spaces and small retail/café outlets, the School’s activities will engage in the pedestrian experience. The ground level façade pushes and pulls against the street edge, strategically framing views and encouraging pedestrians along Koorliny Way and into the DBE main entrance.

Community of Innovation & Collaboration

B418’s design reflects the School’s culture of creative thinking and innovation. The building combines academia, research and industry, bringing together people of like minds, talent, discipline and skills. At the heart of the building, a ‘Learning Terrace’ will facilitate connection across and between levels and among individuals.

Sustainability

Targeting a 6-Star Green Star Design & As Built sustainability rating, the facility includes features such as a double façade system to reduce heat, rainwater harvesting system, water efficient fixtures and fittings and 180-200kW of solar photovoltaic panels.

DBE Vision & Guiding Principles

Vision Statement

The vision for the School of Design and the Built Environment covers six key areas:

  • A focus on an innovative approach to sustainable built environments, technology and cross disciplinary research
  • An interdisciplinary school supporting collaborative exchange and creative learning opportunities
  • Promotion of industry engagement and partnership
  • Supporting high quality and globally significant research that seek to address contemporary social, economic, cultural and environmental challenges
  • Maintaining an international outlook on teaching, learning, practice and research
  • Driving innovative response to evolving pedagogical needs

Design Themes

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. The building and its elements will be an example of leading planning, design and construction practices, and will support learning, teaching and research by being a referential tool for students.

 Not only will the building become a pedagogical tool, but this project is actively engaging Curtin students from relevant disciplines in the building and development stages. Throughout the construction process, current students will have 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.

Resources

 

Study at Curtin

Curtin’s School of Design and the Built Environment offers a huge range of Humanities courses in areas such as Animation, Architectural Science, Digital Design, Fashion Design, Construction Management, Interior Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning.

As a destination for progressive thinkers, Curtin focuses on providing globally relevant qualifications that value sustainability and focus on community development. We embrace study that investigates and celebrates digital futures and that understands the crucial relevance of the arts and creative industries. We’re also dedicated to flexibility, because we know that everyone has different needs.

Find out more

Retail & Commercial Leasing Opportunities

Locate your business in our new School of Design and the Built Environment. There are multiple tenancy options throughout the building.

Email enquiries to exchange@curtin.edu.au