IT’S not meant to blend with the existing cityscape. Rather, the University of Newcastle’s NeW Space building is as bold as the sweeping vistas offered from it’s top floor of the city’s landmarks.
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It’s also building of vision and attitude with the capacity to drag Newcastle’s city centre from the doldrums into a future of promise and innovation.
A traditional topping-out ceremony to mark the construction of the $95 million building’s highest point – 49 metres above the ground-will be held on Wednesday.
The NeW Space building is on-track to be completed next May, with the first classes due to be help in second semester 2017.
About 3500 students will study at the facility each day.
A key feature of the building’s design is sight lines it offers to various landmarks such as the Newcastle Hall clock tower, Nobbys headland and Mount Sugarloaf.
It also includes open spaces to enable non-traditional formal and informal learning spaces to facilitate collaborative, game-based and learning approaches.
It is estimated the building will contribute $1.3billion in economic benefits and employment opportunities to Newcastle and the Hunter, including almost $200 million to the regional economy during its construction and a further $134 million annually flowing from the emergence of the CBD as a vibrant student hub.
“NeW Space is a transformational project for the University and our region. It will allow us to deliver start-of-the-art, technology-enhanced education, while supporting the city's cultural and economic renewal by building a dynamic CBD with innovation and entrepreneurship at its centre,” Vice-chancellor Caroline McMillen.
NeW Space will deliver new academic and research programs in business, law and emerging fields including creative industries, innovation and entrepreneurship. It will also play an important role in connecting the university with business, industry and community partners in Newcastle and the Hunter.
“It wasn’t too long ago that we were here for the sod-turning event and within just over a year we are topping-out. It’s real highlight for us,” University of Newcastle chief operating officer. Nat McGregor said
“It’s is a really complex building. Hansen Yuncken say it is one of the more complex buildings they have done, but I’m pleased to say they have been able to overcome them.”
It will be occupied by a range of student support services including a library, retail outlets and staff offices prior to the commencement of Semester two, 2017.
NeW Space is supported by Australian Government funding of $30 million through the Education Investment Fund Regional Priorities Round, NSW Government funding of $25 million and an investment of $40 million from University of Newcastle.