JCU Engineering & Innovation Place update: Innovations in tropical building design

Innovation isn't about designing expensive, technically-driven systems. Often, the best solution is a simple one — in this case, utilising the climatic conditions in novel ways.

A typical response to tropical building design is to construct "sturdy boxes" — creating dark and enclosed spaces wrapped in protective screening to shield the glass and structure from heat, glare and wind.

Our vision for TIC was to put learning on display. To open and activate the space through a permeable building form, for optimal learning, community and sustainability outcomes.

So we reversed the typical approach.

Designing from first principles, we built resilience into TIC's glass and timber facade, and created passive cooling systems, such as our high performance parasol roof.

A key project milestone has been the installation of the expansive high-performance protective roof. The folded parasol design is a distinctive architectural feature of the building.

Intuitively, a large roof form might seem an obvious solar response for hot climates. But in practice, this feature is rare in tropical regions due to the risks associated with a typically high wind rating.

TIC's terrain-like roof uses shape for strength - reminiscent of origami. The inherent strength in a folded roof allows for maximised spans and stability in cyclonic conditions.

Design features:

• Climate modelling demonstrated the value of the large roof form. It significantly reduces solar heat gain to the building, ensuring increased comfort, decreased mechanical cooling, and maximum transparency.
• The generous roof form overhangs pathways in the JCU University Mall, shading as much of the building and surrounds as possible, significantly reducing the heat island effect.
• The parametrically designed roof structure is engineered to location-specific wind loading. The structure comprises optimised steel framed trusses, 2-metres high in parts, utilising the generous depth of the roof to produce efficient structural elements for the design's long spans and cantilevers.

We are excited to see the completed installation of the soffit to the JCU TIC roof structure.

Unlike typical soffit panels, bought en masse and rapidly installed, each panel of TIC's soffit is custom-made and folded to suit TIC's defining parasol design.

A technical feat to craft and install, the soffit is a stunning feature of the overall design.

Design features:

• The roof and soffit are lined with zinc - selected for its inherent durability, low maintenance and capacity for bespoke and crafted detailing.
• This material and its fixings are designed to meet the low cycle fatigue requirements for roof cladding in cyclonic regions.
• The system was tested at the JCU Cyclone Testing Station, which confirmed the material's remarkable performance to withstand cyclonic debris due to its inherent malleability, outperforming conventional metal systems.

Our hybrid timber glulam (GLT) facade system with debris impact resistant glass is starting to emerge from beneath the scaffolding.

This innovation provides both thermal high performance and cyclone impact and debris resistance without the need for conventional protective screening.

The combination allows abundant daylighting and transparency — a challenge for tropical settings, yet an imperative for leading educational facilities.

Design features:

• The use of glulam technology allows the façade to achieve thermal performance standards well beyond standard market systems, while also providing disaster resilience – a world first for the tropics.

• The copper mesh interlayer will provide a memorable and dynamic interaction between the JCU TIC and the University Mall and signals the Multi-Modal Studio as one of the principal spaces on Campus.⁠

TIC's Structures Lab is wrapped in a bespoke weathering steel louvre system, allowing permanent ventilation to the double-height space.

The selection of weathering steel provides a unique and identifying expression that recalls the rich tones of the local landscape and celebrates JCU's connection with industry.

Designed to oxidise and form a stable rust when exposed to the elements, weathering steel provides a durable, robust and resilient envelope that is both permeable and protective, increasing TIC's resilience in North Queensland's unique climate.

KIRK is known for our expertise in tertiary education design. Our portfolio showcases celebrated higher education and institutional developments in tropical regions, such as Queensland and South East Asia.

Our clients tell us they appreciate our commitment to technically crafted, sustainable design.

We approach each design from first principles to find fit-for-purpose solutions. We respond carefully to climatic conditions and the identity and cultural significance of place.

Innovation is in our DNA. For over 20 years, we have been leading the way in MET mass engineered timber design.

Contact us to learn more.