Woods Bagot designed the state-of-the-art Curtin Resources and Chemistry Centre (CRCC) at the Bentley campus of Curtin University of Technology in Perth, Western Australia.

The Curtin Resources and Chemistry Precinct, which was officially opened on the 13 November 2009, is designed to encourage collaboration between various academic, research and commercial bodies. The building users include Curtin University, the Chemistry Centre of Western Australia and the CSIRO Minerals Facility (a recent extension of which was recently completed by Woods Bagot).

The CRCC contains a range of laboratories for teaching, research and analytical work. These spaces have been designed to be modular and flexible so that they can be
re-configured easily to adapt to future projects. A great emphasis has been placed on shared spaces within the building to encourage interaction between the various user groups.

An advanced building management system ensures energy use is minimised which is greatly assisted by the abundant natural light made possible by the cleverly planned floorplate.

The stunning exterior of the building is derived from a respect for the architectural features of the existing campus building combined with shapes and textures referenced from geological stratification and microscopic views of mineral and chemical compounds.

Finally, the building interior features a profusion of interactive visual artworks created by data from the resident scientists and staff, electronically displayed on walls and ceilings. The electro-art concept was developed by an international team headed by Curtin’s Director of the Centre for Research in Art, Science and Humanity, Associate Professor Paul Thomas.

To view video footage of the CRCC and to learn more about the Precinct click on the link.