Flinders University’s new Tonsley facility has been recognised as the best building of its type in Australia by the Master Builders Association of Australia.
The new science, technology and innovation hub, Flinders at Tonsley, which was officially opened on March 12 by the Federal Minister for Industry and Science, Ian Macfarlane, and South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill, came first in the National Commercial/Industrial Construction $50m to $100m category at the annual awards.
The state-of-the art building is the centrepiece of the revitalisation of the former Mitsubishi Motors manufacturing site and houses a range of leading edge teaching and research facilities.
The six-storey 16,000 square metre building brings together education, innovation, business and commercial start-up ventures in one precinct, with a key aim of stimulating economic growth in industries of the future.
Sensitive redesign of the Darlington road project will enable Tonsley to be at the centre of South Australia’s largest innovation precinct and urban village creating 10,000 jobs, 11,000 new residences and more than $1.6b of investment in the state.
Professor John Roddick, Dean of Flinders University’s School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics (CSEM), which is based at Tonsley, said it was a fantastic recognition of one of the University’s key infrastructure investments.
“Since we moved in at the start of the year, the building has enabled us to undertake industry-oriented research that was simply beyond our previous buildings” said Professor Roddick.
“It has also enabled us to teach in a way far more in line with the way Engineering and ICT Professionals work – in teams and using state-of-the-art equipment.”
FAST FACTS ABOUT FLINDERS AT TONSLEY
- 150 staff, 2000 students
- Six-storeys, 16,000 square metres
- Two lecture theatres, complemented by collaborative teaching spaces 28 specialist laboratories
- Disciplines include biomedical, civil, electrical, electronic, mechanical and software engineering, IT, network systems and mathematics
- Glass façade allows for uninterrupted 360 degree views from the upper levels, over the foothills, Flinders University’s Bedford campus, the sea and city skyline
- Heavy engineering equipment (such as aircraft wings) housed in 2,000 square metre “pod’’ in Tonsley precinct for research