The Knox Innovation, Opportunity and Sustainability Centre (KIOSC) in Victoria has been shortlisted for a 2013 World Architecture Festival (WAF) award in the Higher Education/Research category.
Designed by Woods Bagot, KIOSC is a $10.3 million high-tech learning centre and training hub that was built and created to deliver green education and training focusing on environmental sustainability and responsible management – skills that are deemed essential for success in the workplace of the future.
As a result, the building was designed with the specific aim of reflecting its purpose and operation of equipping students with 'green' skills and training. A sustainable example itself, KIOSC will act as a learning tool for its students, aiming to help them develop an understanding of how buildings, people and the natural environment interact.
The building embraces and defines exterior settings with strong links between indoors and outdoors. Themes of 'reflection' and ' refraction' influence the design of the dramatic cranked vertical sun-blades which provide active protection to glazing.
This gradient of vertical louvers allows light to enter the space, and also provides a passive cooling system, protecting the building from solar heat gain.
Alongside the integration of sitting and building fabric with engineering services, the building is oriented to ensure energy efficiency, while sustainable materials are used throughout.
Completed in April 2012, KIOSC also incorporates a careful integration of colour, materials, form, technology and simulation to invigorate the learning spaces and engage learners in discovery. This has led to the creation of a diverse menu of technology-rich collaborative areas, presentation ‘simulation’ space for 100 people, and a variety of laboratories and ancillary spaces.
Initially conceived under a Commonwealth Government (Trade Training Centres) educational reform initiative, the vision for the project was to equip young people for the global economic and environmental challenges that lie ahead. Through strong industry collaboration, the project is the result of a joint venture between Knox Schools Consortium, Swinburne University, Swinburne TAFE and Woods Bagot.
Winners of the 2013 WAF Awards will be announced in Singapore between 2-4 October 2013.
Images courtesy of Woods Bagot.
