Charles Darwin University Trade Training Centre

Disciplines
Civil, Electrical, Fire Protection, Hydraulics, Mechanical, Structural

Markets
Education

Offices
Brisbane, Perth

Key People

Laurie Jennings

Electrical and UPD Project Engineer

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The new $15.2m trade training centre at Charles Darwin University offers a 4500m² training facility, housing plumbing, electro-technology, instrumentation, refrigeration, environmental trades (solar) and oil and gas industry operators.

Serving national and international students from a wide range of cultural and indigenous backgrounds, this trade training centre will account for a large percentage of the Northern Territory’s research & development and is expected to produce 750 graduates per year.

Built to impress and mould the thinking of today’s young engineers, the building will be at the forefront of energy saving and green technology, implementing:

• Rainwater Harvesting – Rainwater will be collected in an underground tank and re-used for irrigation of the surrounding landscape. Harvested rainwater will also be used for WC flushing and other non-potable use.
• Natural Daylight & Solar Collection – The clerestory glazing will allow natural light to penetrate into the teaching and office areas. Photovoltaic cells will be placed on the roof of the building that will aim to generate between 25 and 35 per cent of the energy required by the building (the percentage of power will depend on the final electricity loads of the building, these details are still being finalised).
• Cross Ventilation – Banks of Louvre windows and roller doors on both sides of the building will allow natural breezes to pass across the ground floor workshops. This in conjunction with industrial size ceiling fans will help keep the workshops cool where air conditioning is not feasible.
• Digital and LED lighting together with automated control systems will also be incorporated throughout the building to assist in reducing energy consumption

WGE provided the civil, structural, mechanical, hydraulic, fire and electrical services for this amazing new facility. Consisting of 3 levels, provisions were made for the safe observation down to the workshop areas below, whilst at the same time the facility has the ability to train those in remote communities through remote education delivery and e-learning.

This facility will certainly fill a gap in the higher education opportunities in the Northern Territory.